Future of Roman Catholicism uncertain in its North Amerikan birthplace...

[Lochdubh]

Baltimore City is the cradle of Roman Catholicism in the United States of Amerika. It is the senior archdiocese of the Church and the site of the oldest Cathedral north of St, Augustine (FL). Now, because of demographic shifts and its own misbehaviour, it is faced with a severe physical contraction that will see 40 of it's 60 parishes close and a reorganization of its business model that will further strain the link between traditionally Catholic neighborhoods and the Mothership. starting in the mid nineteenth century Catholics from across Europe poured in and established ethnocentric parishes, most with schools. While Latin liturgy was the unifying link, sermons were preached in German, Italian, Serbo-Croatian, Ukrainian, Polish, Hungarian, and for a brief while Irish Gaelic. The parish school was often better attended than the public school and the word of the priest was as powerful as the influence of the Democrat Party ward healer. Neighborhood grrrls and bhoys answered the call, found their vocation and stepped up as the immigrant clergy grew old and died off..
The severe redeployment proposed for mid-summer will put the final nail in the coffin for old Baltimore. Parish schools will be severely impacted, and many remaining Catholics will think twice about driving across town to attend mass.
The Archdiocese is lying when it claims the reorganization has nothing to do with the multitude of court cases that seem likely to loot its treasury like the Goths looted ancient Rome. Not only is the Church staring poverty in the face, its reputation for child abuse will be equally destructive.

https://www.archbalt.org/seek-the-city-proposal/

[Mad Serb]

Christianity is losing ground in Europe. Even in traditional strongholds (Eetaly, Poland and Spain)

[Lochdubh]

Christianity is losing ground in Europe. Even in traditional strongholds (Eetaly, Poland and Spain)

Yeah, It's on the way out here too. The %of "Nones" grows on an annual basis.
I'm fascinated by religion though, but was told a few decades back by an Army padre that I lack "the gift of faith".