SolaGratia
Puritan Board Junior
As a former raised R. Catholic I have much interest in what these Catholic officials and layman have to say regarding why some many Catholics have left the Roman Church. It was reported that the biggest religion in America are lapsed Catholics. However, as a now Reformed Protestant, I do not see much of these so called lapse catholic heading to Geneva/Historic Protestantism.
Should we as Protestant do something about it? If so, what can we do?
Note:
Please, comments are welcomed especially from Confessional Presbyterians and Reformed Baptist. Why? Because from what I have seen in Southern California, the majority of Reformed folks have not become Reformed directly from Confessional Protestantism but via evangelicalism (whether Calvary Chapel, Pentecostalism,Charismatics, etc.)
Below are extracts from the article starting with one comment from a RC Nun:
The reason so many Catholics are leaving the Catholic Church is simple, at least in looking at most of the people who have left: It simply makes too many demands of its members. In a culture where morals are a matter of choosing and sacrifice is unheard of, why would a person want to belong to a Church that says one may not live with someone who is not one's spouse, nor marry a same sex partner; must not use contraceptives; must not have an abortion; and use every effort to stay away from serious sin, or even small ones? Added to this, one must go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, fast on days appointed, and practice voluntary penance. One must keep all the precepts of the Church.
The above is too overwhelming -- plus the fact that many people, for generations now, have not been catechized and don't have the foggiest notion of what they must believe as Catholics. They have little knowledge of the grace and beauty of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the teaching of the Magisterium, and the wealth of Tradition. They haven't become real friends of the saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Many leave for "fellowship," which gives them a warm feeling of belonging. Perhaps Catholics need to do more to foster community, but ultimately they will always be faced with the Crucified Christ, an image of which should always be predominate in their Churches, to remind them that a price was paid for their salvation. If they are to follow Christ then they, too, must take up their cross daily. In the long haul, although the Catholic Church makes great demands on its members, it is teaching Truth -- the only thing that will set them free and lead to the Beatific Vision.
-Mother M. Assumpta Long, O.P., is the superior of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
And:
American Catholics are ignorant of the history of Christianity and are unable to cogently outline the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. Protestant churches where the culture is accommodated -- abortion or divorce or gay relationships are deemed within the bounds of Christian practice -- entice those who find Catholicism a "hard saying." At the other pole, Evangelicals, schooled in both anti-Catholicism and apologetics, preach a faith in Christ as if it actually does matter.
- Mary Jo Anderson, WorldNetDaily - A Free Press for a Free People
Finally:
First of all, let's take the hysteria down a notch. The Pew survey doesn't paint quite the horrid picture of a dying Catholic Church that the media want to portray in a spasm of wish-fulfillment. The Protestant picture is much worse. With 51.3 percent of America claiming to be Protestant, we're on the verge of an historic sea change: an America where Protestantism is the minority.
-Bob Lockwood, director for communications for the Diocese of Pittsburgh
More and for this whole article link at :InsideCatholic.com - Why Are They Leaving? An InsideCatholic Symposium
Should we as Protestant do something about it? If so, what can we do?
Note:
Please, comments are welcomed especially from Confessional Presbyterians and Reformed Baptist. Why? Because from what I have seen in Southern California, the majority of Reformed folks have not become Reformed directly from Confessional Protestantism but via evangelicalism (whether Calvary Chapel, Pentecostalism,Charismatics, etc.)
Below are extracts from the article starting with one comment from a RC Nun:
The reason so many Catholics are leaving the Catholic Church is simple, at least in looking at most of the people who have left: It simply makes too many demands of its members. In a culture where morals are a matter of choosing and sacrifice is unheard of, why would a person want to belong to a Church that says one may not live with someone who is not one's spouse, nor marry a same sex partner; must not use contraceptives; must not have an abortion; and use every effort to stay away from serious sin, or even small ones? Added to this, one must go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, fast on days appointed, and practice voluntary penance. One must keep all the precepts of the Church.
The above is too overwhelming -- plus the fact that many people, for generations now, have not been catechized and don't have the foggiest notion of what they must believe as Catholics. They have little knowledge of the grace and beauty of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the teaching of the Magisterium, and the wealth of Tradition. They haven't become real friends of the saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Many leave for "fellowship," which gives them a warm feeling of belonging. Perhaps Catholics need to do more to foster community, but ultimately they will always be faced with the Crucified Christ, an image of which should always be predominate in their Churches, to remind them that a price was paid for their salvation. If they are to follow Christ then they, too, must take up their cross daily. In the long haul, although the Catholic Church makes great demands on its members, it is teaching Truth -- the only thing that will set them free and lead to the Beatific Vision.
-Mother M. Assumpta Long, O.P., is the superior of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
And:
American Catholics are ignorant of the history of Christianity and are unable to cogently outline the differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. Protestant churches where the culture is accommodated -- abortion or divorce or gay relationships are deemed within the bounds of Christian practice -- entice those who find Catholicism a "hard saying." At the other pole, Evangelicals, schooled in both anti-Catholicism and apologetics, preach a faith in Christ as if it actually does matter.
- Mary Jo Anderson, WorldNetDaily - A Free Press for a Free People
Finally:
First of all, let's take the hysteria down a notch. The Pew survey doesn't paint quite the horrid picture of a dying Catholic Church that the media want to portray in a spasm of wish-fulfillment. The Protestant picture is much worse. With 51.3 percent of America claiming to be Protestant, we're on the verge of an historic sea change: an America where Protestantism is the minority.
-Bob Lockwood, director for communications for the Diocese of Pittsburgh
More and for this whole article link at :InsideCatholic.com - Why Are They Leaving? An InsideCatholic Symposium