Here's the saddest part:
While a "sizeable minority" of young Catholics, estimated at about 20 percent, are deeply religious, attending Mass and confession regularly and thinking of themselves as "orthodox," most are less rigid in their observance ["rigid" is NCR-speak for what the Church calls "faithful"]. "As long as they believe in God, Jesus' Incarnation and Resurrection, and Mary as the Mother of God and as long as they do whatever they can to love their neighbor, they do not feel obliged to attend Mass every week, go to Confession every year or even marry in the church," according to American Catholics.
So, in other words, a majority of young Catholics in this survey have identified themselves as Protestants. . .with a little Marian stuff thrown in for flavor. Following the Protestant pattern of mimicking the zeitgeist of the dominant culture, these folks also have a decidedly consumerist philosophy about where they attend Mass (when they do) and what they choose to believe (if anything).
Since the whole goal of the "Spirit of Vatican Two" cadre is the Americanization and Protestantization of the Roman Catholic Church, the NCR crew is crowing about this. Lots of work to to. . .lots of work!
So, in other words, a majority of young Catholics in this survey have identified themselves as Protestants. . .with a little Marian stuff thrown in for flavor. Following the Protestant pattern of mimicking the zeitgeist of the dominant culture, these folks also have a decidedly consumerist philosophy about where they attend Mass (when they do) and what they choose to believe (if anything).
Since the whole goal of the "Spirit of Vatican Two" cadre is the Americanization and Protestantization of the Roman Catholic Church, the NCR crew is crowing about this. Lots of work to to. . .lots of work!
To be fair, it's not as if most Catholics in the last half-century have heard the Gospel or would know what the Church teaches.
ReplyDeleteAnd, since the correct celebration of the Divine Liturgy is so rare, they've not had opportunity for a radical encounter with the Living God.
Yes, there is work to do, but I don't think (from the POV of culpability) the situation is as bad as the Distorter would have us believe.
Being one of those 'young Catholics,' I will say a bit in our defense.
ReplyDeleteI am a traditional or 'orthodox' Catholic, however you want to say it, but for the youth (including myself) we reflect the older generations priorities.
The reason the youth feel protestant is that priests, parents, and the older laity do not place enough importance on the sacraments. If you want the youth to be respectful and honor the gifts that God has given us through the sacraments, then act like it yourself.
This is not to say you act this way Father. Quite the contrary, but I can say that up until I went to UD I was very much the way the article describes the youth. Once I was around people who thought the Sacraments important, I started to realize how special they truly are.
This is why this year of the priests is so perfect. I don't think it ironic that any great pastor you read of (St. John Vianney and Padre Pio for example) all spent ridiculous numbers of hours in the confessional. They thought the sacraments were important and their congregations reflected that.
Sean is right. Liturgy, Liturgy, liturgy. And I would add: catechesis, catechesis, catechesis. Once we junk all the 1972 CCD books that feature young adults staring into the sunsets with questions about "how do you *feel* when you do something bad?" for meaty teaching from the Church's great tradition, young people realize that for which they have been hungering all their lives.
ReplyDeleteYup, liturgy is the key.
ReplyDeleteYounger Catholics want the Real Deal...even if they don't agree with it or practice it. They are tired of hearing wishy-washy nonsense and being told that it's all just about being good in some general way.
Heard a discussion today about Protestantism permeating Catholic culture in America and having significant influence. This is a Protestant country in majority, they explained. I believe one point of the argument is that Fundamentalism has as had an influence on Catholics as well as Protestants. I'm giving this some thought.
ReplyDelete