I read disturbing news about the future of the Catholic Church in Germany, which must be deeply upsetting to Pope Benedict. Can it be an accurate statistic that in 2010, there was a 40% rise in the number of German Catholics formally leaving the Church? Those figures were recently published by
Die Zeit's religious supplement. That's high and the German hierarchy should be very concerned. What's happening there? I gather it's a combination of problems: secularization (a problem throughout Europe), the sex abuse scandal and the loss of trust has taken a terrible toll, modern technology and the lure of materialism....the list goes on. Money might be a factor too. According to an article I read, "Germans normally pay a Church tithe as part of their income tax but they may opt out if they relinquish their membership." Perhaps they don't want to tithe anymore for financial reasons.
What is the Church going to do about this latest dismal report? Sadly, these statistics will be widely reported when Pope Benedict visits Germany in September. I'm sure these findings are greatly disturbing to the Pope, especially since it concerns his native country. Where are the German evangelizers? Where are the young, innovative, creative German Catholics who can speak up for Christ and Christianity?
All I can say is, "Veni, Sanctus, Spiritus! Come quickly and help the German Church.
NJA
