Is Roman Catholicism growing or declining in its membership?

Question

Obviously, there are more Roman Catholics in the world now than ever before. But is Roman Catholicism growing WITH the population? Or are their numbers slowly declining?

And a second question: what do you see as the future of this great and beautiful church?

Answer 1

Roman Catholicism, has had over ages growing moments and declining moments

In Mexico, during the first years of the past century, the Church was harshly persecuted. Many priests were killed.
Today, however, in those same places were that happened, the members are more numerous than before

The future is known only to the Lord, but as Jesus said: "I am with you until the end of times"
The Church has seen many persecutors:
Napoleon deposed the pope and made his son king of Rome. Everybody thought it was the end.

Attila almost took Rome, but the pope stopped him.
Others have been Arnaldo de Brescia, Leo the isaurus, king Vittorio Emanuel II seized Rome, stealing from the pope almost the last territory he had.

In Italy, since the XIX century, the atheists, masons, carbonari, and other anticlericals said that with the guts of the last pope they would hang the last king

Also, the terrible internal corruption, worse than external enemies, the schisms, the anti-popes, the unworthy popes, the antisocial movements. The Church has withstood all of this

Answer 2

i think its growing. i have attended church on a regular basis since mid-20's, almost 20yrs ago in the same parish. mass is celebrated every day in the Church, when i first started going during the week days (i was unemployed at the time) attendance was about 10-20 max, yet the church can seat over 1000 people comfortably.

Today i can only attend twice on the week days and attendance is now around 100 and many more younger people are attending without just dropping off their parents then returning for them when mass is over.

Sunday's has three celebration of the Eucharist and one service having to bring out extra seating.

His Church may have some down periods but "the gates of Hell will never prevail" against Her. Praise the Lord.

Answer 3

In the US, there has been a steady growth trend for the last decade and a half or so -- which encompasses the time period of the priest scandals, and would tend to refute the often-held claim that Catholics were jumping ship in droves as a result. While a few parishes have been closed or consolidated due to changing demographics in some areas, in 2005 alone 46 new parishes were established. (The USCCB page below has more statistics of interest.)

I am very hopeful and encouraged for the Church's future, in large part because of our young people right now. They are entering vocations in record numbers, and as laity they are moving away from much of the silliness that came about as a result of misapplying "the spirit of Vatican II" through my own generation and the one after it ... young Catholics now are much more on fire for the Gospel and authentically living their faith.

Answer 4

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
2005 = 1,115,000,000

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

http://cara.georgetown.edu/bulletin/index.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

http://www.bible.ca/global-religion-statistics-world-christian-encyclopedia.htm
if you can read the small print.
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The Catholic Church is not only the largest Christian Church, but also the largest organized body of any world religion. According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Church, the Church's worldwide recorded membership at the end of 2004 was 1,098,366,000.
http://biblia.com/christianity2/catholicism.htm
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Ironies and paradoxes abound. Here’s one. The Roman Catholic Church, known for making one or two demands on its members, nonetheless keeps on its rolls anyone baptized in its churches unless they ask to be removed. But so do the Mormons and the Southern Baptists, who also are known for expecting members to toe a certain line of doctrine and practice. And even if they were the only three denominations to practice this weird kind of inclusivity (and they’re not), they’re so big that they alone would account for a huge statistical problem.

http://stackblog.wordpress.com/2007/05/20/church-membership-who-counts-who-cares/

Answer 6

Growing.

The Catholic Church is the Church established by Chirst and it will exist until the end of time because Jesus said that "the gates of hell will not prevail against it."

Answer 7

When I was a kid the Catholic church I went to had three full time priests. They had a half a dozen Masses Monday thru Saturday and about eight on Sunday and they were well attended. Today that same church has two Masses on Sunday only because one is Spanish language. Attendance is poor. I'd say the Catholic church ain't what it was.

Answer 8

Refering to the first poster, the same situation happened in my town(except without the spanish mass).

There used to be nuns and monks, (atleast) 5 priests, and 2 Catholic schools within 15 miles of each other. Now there are no nuns, one monk, 2 priests, no schools, and the only time the attendance is up is during the holidays and confirmation mass.

Answer 9

From what I've read, and personally seen, I'd say it's growing. I don't know about "with' the population...but within the circles of those who believe in God, I see it growing.

I think it's future is sound. Christ promised that the gates of hell would not prevail...and as we know he always keeps his promises.

Answer 10

God will denounce the Church and everything it seems to stand for. Satan works through churches to deceive and manipulate people. You just have to read your Bible to know what is of God's Word and what is not. What is a church for Christ and what is a church compiled of lies from satan. Roman Catholisicm teaches false doctrines but many are deceived into following such doctrines. I believe the Catholic population will grow at the end of days. God did say that many will follow a false prophet before His time comes. Many will fall to deception and many will turn against God.