Why Are We Catholics Such Losers? Is this question too provocative, or is it on point? According to a Pew Research study (May 12, 2015), 40% of American adults who said they were raised Catholic, no longer consider themselves Catholic. Then the study compared the net attrition rate of Catholics to other religious groups and concluded, No other religious group in the survey has such a lopsided ratio of losses to gains. Why are we such losers? I m 60 years old and remember having to often stand in the aisle at Mass, a situation that lasted until church basements were converted into worship spaces so multiple Masses could be celebrated at the same time and handle the overflow. Right now, we live in one of the most secular areas of the country. Last year Pew Research ranked our state (Massachusetts) as being tied with New Hampshire for having the lowest percentage of highly religious adults in the nation (February 29, 2016). So, how did we go from needing more worship space to being the lowest ranked in the country in just my lifetime? Deacon John Beagan, Sacred Heart & Saint Patrick Parishes, Watertown, MA page 1 of 9
In their study of those with no religion, Pew Research noticed that more than half left their childhood faith for lack of belief and dislike of organized religion (August 24, 2016). Thus, the reason for our rapid decline seems to be a lack of faith in Jesus Christ and the Church he established. But, how did we lose so much faith, so quickly? Increasingly, since my childhood, Catholics have been bombarded 24/7 by a host of cultural beliefs and ideas that conflict with our faith. It s like an enormous evil spaceship, or Death Star, started hovering above us 40 or 50 years ago, and began a continuous stream of blasting. The Death Star analogy is not far-fetched. News media, documentaries, entertainment and academic work have steadily promoted ideas and beliefs that spurn Church guidance on, for example, divine truth, reliability of Scripture, existence of invisible realities (like angels, Satan, hell), our need for salvation, sexual morality, gay marriage, and ordination of women. Deacon John Beagan, Sacred Heart & Saint Patrick Parishes, Watertown, MA page 2 of 9
The result of this daily onslaught is 40% lost (no longer Catholic), 40% more severely wounded (those rarely or never coming to Mass), and another 10% injured (those in the pews who embrace some cultural beliefs over Catholic ones). In short, the problem is a horrendous casualty rate of widespread disbelief and lack of faith. Surprisingly, we have never in a serious way, defended ourselves against the Death Star and fought back. We have no coordinated effort or program that targets the star. Likewise, homilies rarely challenge popular cultural beliefs. Thus, the Death Star continues to operate with impunity. When Death Star challenges are ignored and controversial Church teaching is not upheld, then people over time will conclude there is nothing divinely special about Church teaching (e.g., it can be outdated and wrong), and realities such as hell, for example, if the medieval concept exists at all, is only for a few uberevil. Thus, the supernatural drama between love and evil gets lost, and folks lose interest. Even the reality of the Mass gets lost as spiritual imaginations become dull. Consequently, people become bored, fall away, and fail to find sufficient reason to return. So, given the battered state of our flock and the persistence and growing power of the Death Star, how can we realistically expect to generate sufficient enthusiasm at the parish level to grow again? Deacon John Beagan, Sacred Heart & Saint Patrick Parishes, Watertown, MA page 3 of 9
Proposal We must start fighting back in a steady and coordinated manner. I propose we need a first-class program that has the buy-in of many and promotes all the words of God, Jesus Christ and the Church he founded in a simple, reasoned and gentle way. This program would give the flock strong reasons for their hope and demonstrate why it takes only a tiny amount of faith to be Catholic, but huge leaps, that defy evidence and reason, to be anything else. Fortified with good reasons, Catholics can feel confident enough to enjoy all faith formation and become true evangelizers, unafraid to talk about their hope. I have drafted such a program, but instead of being first-class, it s more like a usable prototype. Please review it at www.johnbeagan.com/catholic. In an effort to strengthen people s faith and make the Catholic Church worth reconsidering, this approach relies on evidence, reason and what is most likely true, to step through: Is there a God? Did God reveal himself to humanity? And is this revelation through Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church? The point is, our faith is not a composite of blind imagination and wishful thinking, but is deeply rooted in reality. That is, we stand on solid ground. During the presentation, most Death Star topics are addressed. In particular, three third rail subjects are emphasized. Deacon John Beagan, Sacred Heart & Saint Patrick Parishes, Watertown, MA page 4 of 9
First, the true existence of Satan and hell is brought to the fore and woven throughout the talk, as this is what Jesus is ultimately saving us from, so we may have eternal life. No position is taken here, though, as to how many or few will be saved. Rather, our freedom to choose like the angels is stressed. The actual degree of risk of Catholics not practicing their faith is hotly debated today. Practically speaking, though, to believe almost all will be saved no matter what, undermines our need for Church in a culture that offers a pretty good life most of the time. It also weakens our concern for sin. On the other hand, given that everyone is born into a state of sin, hearing that only few will be saved, makes it very difficult to believe in a God who is love. Thus, this presentation tries to remain faithful to Sacred Scripture and Church teaching by making vivid our choice to embrace God s loving mercy or risk the sinful consequences of hell. The fact people have this freedom to choose, makes the Christian life very exciting because we, as Children of God, get to share in Christ s salvific mission to proclaim the Gospel and help people choose God s love. The second third-rail subject in the presentation concerns the divine reality and necessity of the Catholic Church vis-à-vis other faiths or no-religion. That is, being a practicing Catholic matters and bringing people into the Catholic Church is part of our mandate. I have tried to handle this respectfully. The last third-rail topic deals with issues where we are out of sync with the culture, such as, women s ordination and sexual behavior. Deacon John Beagan, Sacred Heart & Saint Patrick Parishes, Watertown, MA page 5 of 9
Target Audience Baptized Catholics, active and inactive I would consider making programs of this sort (i.e., not limited to this prototype) a requirement for Catholics preparing for marriage and for Catholic parents preparing for baptism or have children enrolled in faith formation, many of whom might not go to Mass often. It seems having a nice welcoming parish is not enough to get people to attend Mass regularly. People need more motivation, and perhaps a sprinkle of holy concern is necessary. Those who come to Mass should also be encouraged to attend this program. It will help strengthen their faith and increase their desire to learn more and become more active and evangelical. It will also help weaken opposition to the Church on controversial subjects. People who already believe will be given solid reasons for their hope so they may become more confident and willing to talk about their faith, especially to their grown children and grandchildren. This should be a good program to invite non-mass goers to. Finally, campus ministry programs might benefit from this. Deacon John Beagan, Sacred Heart & Saint Patrick Parishes, Watertown, MA page 6 of 9
Next Steps As stated above, my presentation is a prototype and can be improved by more talented people, or inspire entirely different approaches. Also, this presentation is too much to absorb straight through, but needs to be in a seminar format with ample time for questions and discussion, or considered online by groups viewing short segments. One long talk by one person, like this for example, is not enough to deal with our culture s 24/7 onslaught. Rather multiple alternatives/flavors of this should be created and made available. And this must be part of a sustained effort at parish, regional and diocesan levels. Some of the truths we proclaim will be especially challenging to people and family members in difficult situations, like cases where an annulment was needed, gay partnerships, and many other trying circumstances. So, we cannot just proclaim the truth and walk away else we would be like Pharisees. Therefore, a network of pastors, priests and others equipped to provide counseling and support must be set up at local and regional levels. As many bishops, pastors, priests and deacons as possible should buy into this program. Ideas and soundbites should be shared as to how best present on controversial topics during short homilies. Also, the Liturgical Calendar should be considered so that many of these issues can be presented to the faithful at least annually. Moreover, preachers should feel supported when they try to promote Church teaching and confront popular cultural beliefs. Deacon John Beagan, Sacred Heart & Saint Patrick Parishes, Watertown, MA page 7 of 9
Conclusion Even if this proposal is viewed as untenable, the problem itself, i.e., the figurative Death Star, is irrefutable and has to be confronted. Programs that boldly and carefully promote the fullness of divine reality and truth in the Catholic Church, and counters popular challenges, are desperately needed. Until we do, we will continue to rapidly and significantly shrink to a remnant, because at the moment, to the Death Star, we are ducks in a barrel. Many people who come to Mass and parish programs are expecting peace, happiness and ideally a little chuckle. They want a welcoming, nice and noncontroversial environment, a place of rest in a difficult world. They are not expecting to be roused and equipped for spiritual warfare, then sent out to the battlefield. They have fallen into a kind of stupor. However, to fight this battle, the Church needs to be both a place of respite and nourishment, but also an evangelical training ground that equips people for spiritual battle. This program will be initially jarring and upsetting for some. Therefore, every effort should be made to ease their transition. Deacon John Beagan, Sacred Heart & Saint Patrick Parishes, Watertown, MA page 8 of 9
Our mission is not to simply create nice peaceful places of worship in this world, but to go out to all people, proclaim the fullness of truth, and convert them. Consequently, the mission will ruffle some feathers. But nowhere in the New Testament do Jesus and his disciples avoid conflict. On the contrary, for instance: Our Lord threatened some, when he called them serpents and a brood of vipers and added, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? (Matthew 23:33) After Pentecost, Peter stood with his fellow apostles and addressed the people. During his proclamation, he accused them of crucifying Jesus. Afterwards, about three thousand were converted that day. (Acts 2:36, 41) And deacon Stephen called them a still necked people who always resist the Holy Spirit, before he was martyred. (Acts 7:51) Our New Testament preachers were not always nice. So, like them and in faith, we have to proclaim the fullness of truth, and rouse the people as well as care for them. To be effective, this needs to be a sanctioned and coordinated effort, and not left to isolated preachers. When historians and especially God look back at this time, they need to see a type of Counter-Reformation, where we promoted the divine truth of the Church in a culture that was swept over by secularism. That is, they need to see a great light shining in the darkness, and not just a flicker. Deacon John Beagan, Sacred Heart & Saint Patrick Parishes, Watertown, MA page 9 of 9