Is the glass half empty or half full?
Here’s Christianity through the numbers in the U.S. today:
A new Pew Research Center study shows a 20-year decline in Americans identifying as Christian, with 62% now identifying as such. This marks a 16-point drop from 2007 when it was 78%. However, the decline seems to have plateaued since 2019.
Catholic identification in the U.S. has remained stable at about 19% since 2014, though Catholics face higher rates of religious switching. The "unaffiliated" group, or "nones," now makes up 29%. However, growth in this group has also leveled off after increasing from 16% in 2007.
Pew attributes the decline to generational shifts, with younger generations being less religious. Older, more religious generations are passing away, leading to a larger portion of younger, less religious Americans. As a result, people are less likely to pray daily, identify with a religion, or believe in God with certainty.
But I can tell you from Tepeyac Leadership’s experience abroad, these concerning numbers are quite healthy when compared to the rest of the West. And I will be in Europe (Rome, London and Lisbon) next week, so I will be sure to report about my qualitative experience while traveling there.
Back to religion in the world... when we consider Africa, Asia, and even places in Latin America, we know the Catholic Church is growing. Where the Church is struggling to keep the faith alive is unfortunately in the oldest Catholic nations. And that’s precisely why we are investing in the expansion of our mission there.
As we visit three strategically chosen, European dioceses next week, with the intention of sharing a vision for a more committed, well-formed, faithful and intentional lay Catholic leadership in civil society, I ask for your prayers.
We don’t deceive ourselves in thinking that ours is a magic pill that can solve all the problems in the Church and society. But we are convinced investing in the next generation of lay Catholic leaders for the secular world is a critical part of the equation.
It’s what the Second Vatican Council asked of the laity decades ago, a request we must finally attend to, decisively!
Please continue to pray for the health of Pope Francis.
Please continue to pray for the Church.
And please continue to pray for our mission. Together, we can transform lives, build up the community and the Church by investing in tomorrow’s lay Catholic leaders for the world!
P.S. The Tepeyac Leadership Gala is around the corner! Be part of this effort by registering to attend the Gala or making a gift now. No amount is too small/large. THANK YOU!
