The Exodus of Young Catholics and the Dissolution of Catholic Identity, by Robert Lazu Kmita

A recent article by Michael Rota and Stephen Bullivant, “Religious Transmission: A Solution to the Church’s Biggest Problem,” published in Church Life Journal, has sparked reactions in several quarters because of its main contention: that nine out of ten people born Catholic leave the Church.

The exodus of adults, and especially of adolescents and young people, is one of the most troubling symptoms of the deep crisis in Christian life, not only within our Church but in our whole culture. (I believe that the most terrible and widespread malady is the contraceptive mentality, but also the abortion regime to which it leads. All other problems reflect this slow suicide of communities in the Western world that have ceased to procreate.)

Regarding the exodus of young people in particular, an in-depth examination and concrete suggestions are absolutely necessary. But before that – just as in the case of patients with multiple severe symptoms – it’s essential to establish an accurate diagnosis that will reveal the hidden causes of the “illness.” My perspective on all this is somewhat unusual these days: that of a convert from the “Orthodox” Church to the Roman Catholic Church. …

Continue reading >>>>>>>>>>>