Evangelical Population Explodes in Brazil as Catholic Church Shows Signs of Decline

[_Abyssinia]

Originally Posted by Hesychios

Briefly.

World Youth Day has lasting success

World Youth Day Toronto: 10 years later

http://www.news.va/en/news/world-you...10-years-later

World Youth Day 2002 - Six days in July that transformed Toronto

http://www.catholicregister.org/home...formed-toronto

World Youth Day can cause conversions and increased religious commitment which has lasting effects on individuals and society

Study was done on World Youth Day participants which found after attending, a large majority prayed more often, discussed religion with their friends more than before, and went to Mass more than before

http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/research/..._SSSR_2009.pdf

[_Abyssinia]

Originally Posted by Trebor135

Probably true. I mean, how much more devout have Australian Catholics become since World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney? Going by the data I last encountered, regular Mass attendance is something like thirteen percent in the country.

More men joined priesthood in Australia after World Youth Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLrZdpO_bG4

[Trebor135]

Originally Posted by _Abyssinia

More men joined priesthood in Australia after World Youth Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLrZdpO_bG4

That's good news, especially since I gather that Australia is one of the most secular Western countries, along with New Zealand and those in Scandinavia.

[jwinch2]

Originally Posted by _Abyssinia

More men joined priesthood in Australia after World Youth Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLrZdpO_bG4

I think this is an excellent point. Its hard to put your finger on the impact that something like WYD actually has by basing it purely on Mass attendance a few years down the road. Taking account priestly and religious vocations, and the quality of the men and women called to them, would tell us more of the picture.

It will probably take the clarity of a generational change before we have any really solid conclusions to draw.

Peace,

[_Abyssinia]

Originally Posted by jwinch2

I think this is an excellent point. Its hard to put your finger on the impact that something like WYD actually has by basing it purely on Mass attendance a few years down the road. Taking account priestly and religious vocations, and the quality of the men and women called to them, would tell us more of the picture.

It will probably take the clarity of a generational change before we have any really solid conclusions to draw.

Peace,

[FabiusMaximus]

I think a major reason is that Central and South Americans simply aren't as devout as some people claim that they are.

Even in the United States, Hispanics go through some basic Catholic ceremonies (like the quinceñera), but then have high illegitimacy rates, for instance.

I just think people overplay how devout they are.

[Hesychios]

Originally Posted by FabiusMaximus

I think a major reason is that Central and South Americans simply aren't as devout as some people claim that they are.

Even in the United States, Hispanics go through some basic Catholic ceremonies (like the quinceñera), but then have high illegitimacy rates, for instance.

I just think people overplay how devout they are.

I totally agree with this post.

I think the people of Brazil have been alienated from the church for a long, long time. This is not a Vat II kind of thing, it goes back many generations, perhaps from the Portuguese colonial days.

Further, we have a tendency to see other cultures through a filter (these counties are not just exactly like ours except for language).

Brazil is a particularly troubled nation with a very great disparity between the lifestyle of prosperity and the squalor of poverty, for one thing, and also abuse of the native tribes in the interior. The lack of priests makes the situation all the more serious, many people are feeling abandoned by a church that is not really able to reach them.

Walled off poverty

If the prosperous families (who can afford it) are not contributing their sons to the seminary there will be a shortage of priests because the poor are struggling just to survive. Even if an American priest were to be sent to Brazil, there is a strong possibility that he would fill a parish position and be too busy to get out on the streets. If he could get into the streets he would probably get in their faces during the day and go back to a cozy rectory to sleep in safety.

Lay evangelists and ministers from Protestant churches have no obligations to uphold an old moribund institution and plug in the administrative holes, they can go right into the most poverty stricken neighborhoods, stay there as house guests in their humble homes and work directly with the people 24/7 if they wish.

[4Squarebaby]

Originally Posted by Hesychios

I totally agree with this post.

If the prosperous families (who can afford it) are not contributing their sons to the seminary there will be a shortage of priests because the poor are struggling just to survive. Even if an American priest were to be sent to Brazil, there is a strong possibility that he would fill a parish position and be too busy to get out on the streets. If he could get into the streets he would probably get in their faces during the day and go back to a cozy rectory to sleep in safety.

Lay evangelists and ministers from Protestant churches have no obligations to uphold an old moribund institution and plug in the administrative holes, they can go right into the most poverty stricken neighborhoods, stay there as house guests in their humble homes and work directly with the people 24/7 if they wish.

I would drop the assumption that families provide their second son to the King and the Army and the third to the church. Families do not have the power in the world's societies to do that anymore.

[Hesychios]

Originally Posted by 4Squarebaby

I would drop the assumption that families provide their second son to the King and the Army and the third to the church. Families do not have the power in the world's societies to do that anymore.

Actually I agree with you.