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I found the recent survey on religious practice in the United States to be something of a mixed bag. On the one hand, great numbers expressed belief in God and the importance of faith. On the other hand, an increasing number seem to affiliate with no particular church at all.

 

While the survey is limited in scope (since faith cannot simply be measured by counting the number of adherents, or using other empirical data), it does tell us something significant. We are at a unique moment in American history and, in particular, in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States.

 

There will be others who will be able to give a more informed account of what this study might indicate in terms of sound pastoral practice for the Church in the United States. Perhaps I can offer some insights as a Catholic in political life of how this area might affect the Church's future in our country.

 

Catholic teaching about the lay vocation expounded so profoundly in the documents of the Second Vatican Council has not been well understood. Too many Catholics do not see the clear implications their faith has for their public lives, whether in politics, business, or education. A genuine, authentic faith will be shared and inform all aspects of one's life.

 

I think the future of the Church can be especially strong if Catholic teaching in this area were better understood. Catholics do not want to impose their faith on anyone, but simply to propose a way of living -- and a way of loving -- that will bring true freedom and happiness.

 

I am hopeful when I see Catholics carrying the message of the gospel into their public lives. We bring the nonnegotiable principles of the value of every life, the importance of marriage for a virtuous society, and the need to care for the weak and vulnerable in the public arena. By doing so, we invite further reflection on why we live -- and love -- the way we do. It is a strong impetus for deeper reflection and deeper conversion to the gospel.

 

The new springtime for the Church envisioned by Pope John Paul the Great could indeed be on the horizon. Without ignoring the clear challenges ahead, I am convinced that the strong presence of Catholics in public life could play an important part in the renewal of the Church in the United States.

 

 

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I read with some interest the headline that religion is on the decline in the United States. The media were delighted in reporting that Christianity in America had dropped significantly. One highlighted aspect of the survey was that the fastest growing group of people described themselves as "unaffiliated" -- no formal religion at all.

 

One scholar from a prominent Catholic college pointed out that religion "is out of touch with our secular culture today." All the so-called experts further warned that these disturbing trends are likely to accelerate in the near future, because younger people are more likely to join minority churches rather than Christian churches.

 

Speaking from a lay Catholic perspective based on over 35 years of extensive political and media experience, Catholics have no meaningful voice in the American political arena today. Of course we have Catholics on the political right and left, but sides tend to negate any serious political message to unite Catholics and provide us with a more effective voice.

 

Our opponents do not want us united. They are afraid we will impose our values on them; a valueless society fits the secularists' agenda just fine.

 

And because mainstream Catholics have no effective voice in the media today, we are wandering the desert, looking for a political home. Thus, the growing number of "unaffiliated" continues to increase in the United States. Secularists are winning the cultural war in a divided Christian America.

 

I was speaking at a St. Patrick's Day event in Rhode Island recently when I was asked, "Mayor Flynn, I know you're pro-life and a working-class Democrat. So am I. Who is our leader -- you?" "No, Jesus Christ," I proudly said.

 

 

 

The reason so many Catholics are leaving the Catholic Church is simple, at least in looking at most of the people who have left: It simply makes too many demands of its members. In a culture where morals are a matter of choosing and sacrifice is unheard of, why would a person want to belong to a Church that says one may not live with someone who is not one's spouse, nor marry a same sex partner; must not use contraceptives; must not have an abortion; and use every effort to stay away from serious sin, or even small ones? Added to this, one must go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, fast on days appointed, and practice voluntary penance. One must keep all the precepts of the Church.

The above is too overwhelming -- plus the fact that many people, for generations now, have not been catechized and don't have the foggiest notion of what they must believe as Catholics. They have little knowledge of the grace and beauty of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the teaching of the Magisterium, and the wealth of Tradition. They haven't become real friends of the saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Many leave for "fellowship," which gives them a warm feeling of belonging. Perhaps Catholics need to do more to foster community, but ultimately they will always be faced with the Crucified Christ, an image of which should always be predominate in their Churches, to remind them that a price was paid for their salvation. If they are to follow Christ then they, too, must take up their cross daily. In the long haul, although the Catholic Church makes great demands on its members, it is teaching Truth -- the only thing that will set them free and lead to the Beatific Vision.

 

Mother M. Assumpta Long, O.P., is the superior of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.