"Evangelization is a critical part of the Christian life,

"one that has been neglected by American Catholics

"for some time..."

Mr. Victor R. Claveau, M.J.

"The Church exists to evangelize"


A snippet from his timely commentary in the Homiletic & Pastoral Review -- November 2010.

"According to the most recent statistical data (2010) released by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), during the past ten years the Catholic Church in the U.S. has declined by 5,846 priests, 761 brothers, and 22,270 sisters.

"During this same period, 1,278 parishes were closed, and currently 18.93 percent of parishes are without a a resident priest pastor.

"Additionally, the percentage of U.S. Catholics declined from 22 percent to 21 percent, which amounts to approximately eight hundred thousand souls.

"Alarmingly, only 22 percent of Catholics attend Mass one or more times per week.

"The only positive statistic in the report was the gain of 4,271 deacons...

"Thirty million Americans now identify themselves as former Catholics.

"These losses, however, have been partly offset by the number of people who have changed their affiliation to Catholicism (2.6 percent of the adult population), but more importantly by the disproportionally high number of Catholics among immigrants to the U.S.

"The result is that the overall percentage that identifies as Catholic has remained fairly stable."


But! As he now warns us:


"Evangelization, conversion and growth are Christ's commission; mere stability is an indictment against our leadership.

"There is but one answer to these numerous challenges.

"Only the Gospel message, broadly and enthusiastically proclaimed, has the power to change attitudes and to guide individuals from destructive paths toward holy lives and eventual righteousness before God..."

Way to go, Señor! :)