[ultima ratio]

Not exactly. The number of Catholics in the US is deceptive. Increasing Hispanic immigration gives comfort to American bishops--but this is really a mere shifting around of numbers. Mexico loses citizens, we gain immigrants--but if the two countries were measured together, they would record a loss.

[RnMomof7]

It is also hard to tell real numbers because you are kept on the church rolls even if you are not attending . I have not been a Catholic in 24 years or so...I am still on the rolls (I still get parish mail and the Catholic Charities appeal) I assume my kids that left are also on the rolls..