Is Roman Catholicism in a death spiral?

Question

Rising Protestant tide sweeps Catholic Brazil

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070503/lf_nm/brazil_pope_religion_dc;_ylt=Ag.O7zZKgKjVrJg6UskWzWADW7oF

Answer 1

I don't think so.

According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University, the worldwide population of Catholics is as large as it ever has been and is still growing:

1970 = 653,600,000
1975 = 709,600,000
1980 = 783,700,000
1985 = 852,000,000
1990 = 928,500,000
1995 = 989,400,000
2000 = 1,045,000,000
2004 = 1,114,000,000

And in the U.S.:

1965 = 45,600,000
1975 = 48,700,000
1985 = 52,300,000
1995 = 57,400,000
2000 = 59,900,000
2005 = 64,800,000

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: novelty dies away ie. Pentecostalism, yet Catholicism is here to stay 2000 years young.

I believe it would be comforting for those opposed to Catholicism to believe in such a fallacy but it hasn't happened yet and the JPII generation of young Catholics are seeking God from within his Church with no thought of leaving. A New Evangelization has begun just as Paul VI wrote about 30 some years ago. The mission-field for anti-Catholics/Protestant Evangelicals is dwindling amongst the Catholic population you'll have to look elsewhere and in the meantime hold onto those leaving for the fullness of Christian faith in Catholicism.

America’s Protestant majority is fading, University of Chicago research shows see source

Answer 3

Nope. And it never will be - the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

"SAO PAULO, Brazil - A steep decline in the number of Brazilian Catholics may be stabilizing after decades of losses, according to a survey released just days before Pope Benedict XVI's arrival in the world's largest Roman Catholic country.

The percentage of Catholics stayed about the same from 2000 to 2003, reversing a trend in which millions of Brazilians abandoned the faith, according to an analysis of government statistics released Wednesday by the Getulio Vargas Foundation.

Brazilians claiming to be Catholic dropped to 73.9 percent in 2000, from 88.9 percent in 1980, census figures show. The South American country has a population of 187 million.

While in 2003, the number fell only a fraction to 73.8 percent, said the foundation, an academic institution that also conducts surveys.

The study's coordinator, Marcelo Neri, said the number may be stabilizing due to the country's improved economy, adding people may be more likely to change religions during hard times."

Answer 4

Since more than a million adults coverted to Catholicism in 2005 (the last year for which full statistics are available), there seems to be no reason for concern, even if you do not acknowledge the divine promise that God will be with the Catholic Church until the end of time.
.

Answer 5

No their numbers are increasing so that means more people are realizing the truth of the Catholic Church. It is the original Church that Christ has established. History will show this to be true. So the gates of hell shall not prevail against her. I think she is becoming more vibrant and alive. The new Pope is brilliant, he is holy and speaks many languages. He is a gift of God to the world. The Church helps people reach heaven. So don't be afraid of death.

Answer 6

Roman Catholicism is NOT in a 'death spiral', nor will it EVER be in a death spiral. The Roman Catholic Church is the Bride of Christ, and our Divine Bridegroom established Her on Himself, the Rock of Ages. She will never 'perish', for she is not of this world. A battle for Truth is going on, and Jesus Christ, Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, will conquer. Ya'll better check your sources, God always protects His own for He is God, and as for the Catholic Church, She's no where near dying, she's not even sick.

Answer 7

I think it is...many people are realizing that the religion of catholicsm hasnt brought real genuine satisfactin to the soul and are beginning to look elsewhere for that fulfilment. One of the main teachings of catholicism is that salvation is to be found only inside the catholic church . But because the very catholics within the catholic church have not found salvation there themselves, many are beginning to wonder if what they have been told is true. And this is the main reason I think they are losing so many members. Because they havent found the salvation that is claimed to be found inside the catholic church. I pray for the catholics out there that read this, that you would really be honest with yourself and ask yourself...have you found salvation? Do you have salvation? Are you saved? Will you go to heaven when you die? Your church says salvation is to be found there, but if you havent found it by now...why havent you? Where is it hid? Could it be that its not to be found there at all? Its something to think about. Im not judging anyone. But the scriptures say we ought to examine ourselves to see whether we are IN the faith...and thats what Im asking you to do. Thats all

Answer 8

Dont know....interesting question. something to think about....Maybe not. Catholicism is pretty strong. And maybe it will remain the predominant faith there because Protestants can be somewhat judgemental and discriminating. Its TRUE!! Catholicism is ancient and more real, I think.

Answer 9

I wouldn't say it is in a death spiral, it may be the fact that people are starting to realize that it is a religion that is based more on man's ideas and traditions than the Bible. The more people read the Bible, the more will realize that the Catholic church is not the church that Christ founded.

Answer 10

In a death spiral? don't think so.

The latest reports that I have seen actually have RCC growing. 1.3 million, in the US alone, coming into the Church last year.