The future of the Catholic Church?

[mabus]

Boy, I wish ReturnToGod AKA Psycho4048 would respond to this, but he just posts and then never replies to anyone.

The Catholic Church is at it's lowest point in history right now. Only 25% believe in the central aspect of the faith that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Jesus. The vast majority of catholics have lost faith in the priesthood and church leaders. The leaders were more concerned about keeping their positions and power, which was partly to blame for this whole crisis, catholics are leaving the curch in droves, and more importantly, those that left that may have been thinking about re-joining, are saying "No way, not now!" Yet, many hardcore catholics refuse to see the light of reason and fact, and are oblivious to all this. They simply refuse to accept what is happening, and tell themselves that the seminaries are filling up, people are joining, and eveything's fine.

Is there hope for the catholic church in America and around the world, or will it all fade away and be replaced by the other christian religions?

 

[TicklingDuo]

Some very good points and questions, Mabus.

Yes, the Church is in big trouble right now. We have allowed ourselves to be infested with greed and pride. They, IMO, are the route cause of the majority of the problems we're facing. We have fostered them more than we have the faith we claim to hold. We have acted in ways that are shameful and give a bad name to every Catholic. We've pushed many away through arrogance and lack of charity.

All that having been said....I feel that the Church WILL survive this crisis. It has always been in times like these that individuals or groups have stepped forward to revitalize us. Every Catholic has both a right and responsibility to take part in this. Because of the lack of true faith that you mention, many will refuse to do so...or simply not know how. But, God has said that He will not let satan defeat His Church. So, I trust that we will see not only a continuation of the Church, but also a strenghteneing of it in years to come.

Worldwide, less than 10% of those who call themselves Catholic, practice the faith. Many of that 10% doesn't fully understand their faith. But, if even these few truly acted on what we believe, we'd set the world on fire. That most likely applies to people of all faiths...and people who simply believe that we should be good and love our fellow man. IF we put all of that positive belief/energy into action....WOW! What a world it would be!

Ann

 

[sole seeker]

Yet, many hardcore catholics refuse to see the light of reason and fact, and are oblivious to all this.

Don't confuse the church and the Catholic faith with the priest. The priest is just a man, hopefully inspired by God to his calling. The church and my faith are gifts from God to me. They enable me to get through some of the tougher times in my life.

I am not in awe of a man because he is a priest. In fact, a few years ago I had a close friend who is a priest. We both moved, and we rarely keep in touch now, but that is mostly due to distance. Since I got to know him as a friend, not just a priest, I know that he is at heart a good man, and I believe his calling was inspired by a wish to devote his life to the service of God.

I'm not in any way defending the actions of priests who abuse their office, any more than I would defend a crooked cop. Nor am I defending those in the Church hierarchy that tried to cover up or defend the priests who committed them. They are human and should be accountable for their actions. And I'm sure they will be, if not here, then when they go before God.

Just my two cents. I gotta tell you though; hating an entire religion for the actions of a minority of its members is stupid and narrow-minded.

 

[BigJim]

If the collapse and shame of the church has taught anyone anything, it should be that no-one needs the approval of a bloke in a frock to get to heaven.

Another maxim that comes out of this of course, is the same one that the elder-type-bloke said to Superman in th 4th film. "If you teach them to put their faith in any one man, then you are teaching them to be betrayed."

No, I'm not refering to Jesus, I'm talking about any one man who's ever held power in the church hierarchy. There is no reason on the face of this one, insignificant, planet why someone should quake in fear of damnation because they havn't been to church and put money in a plate that would probably have ended up buying the vicar a new set of stockings and suspenders anyway. No-one needs the blessing of a religious 15%'er to get to heaven and everyone is in charge of their own destiny.

 

[Deleted member 2452]

i'm not catholic, so i'll be carfull.

first, the church will loose members, power, and money, here in america.
i believe in the very near future priests will be alowed to marry again.
steve

 

[BigJim]

Re: i'm not catholic, so i'll be carfull.

first, the church will loose members, power, and money, here in america.
i believe in the very near future priests will be alowed to marry again.
steve

I'd agree with all of that Steve. I think the ban on priests marrying is due to fall very soon now. As for the first 3, it's already happening, not only in America, but the whole world.

 

[Flatfoot]

I can believe that the priests will be allowed to marry again. That doesn't seem at all unreasonable. I don't know about Catholicism collapsing on itself, though. That'd be a LITTLE hard to swallow!