England

[CeeBee]

I was just thinking about England. I was wondering how Catholic it is. We seem to have numerous Catholic British people. I have heard on numerous occasions of many Anglicans converting to Catholicism here in the U.S., and as England is mostly Anglican, I was wondering if maybe England is slowly turning into a Catholic country. I mean, I know it has to be pretty slow, but just a question. And how many people are Catholic now?

 

[Paul S]

I'm sure one of our English posters knows more, but I've heard that England these days isn't really Anglican or Catholic, but secular, and less than 50% of people attend church or believe in God.

It's higher in the US, but we're heading that way, too. Let's pray that England return to the Faith, as well as the rest of Europe and the US.

 

[Lifesaver]

What a grand thing it would be if the English royal family accepted to be in communion with Rome once again...


Las time I read something on the matter, Britain (not just England specifically, I think) was 10% Catholic. Though many are non-practicing.

But the situation is even more deplorable in France, the craddle of today's secularism and indifferentism. And in a nation with such a long and unbroken Catholic tradition...

 

[CeeBee]

Yeah, the situation in France is horrible.

Thanks, Lifesaver. You are a Lifesaver. lol, okay, that was corny.

 

[Lifesaver]

Here, found this table with numbers. Not sure how accurate they are, though:
http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk/cathstats/population.htm

One may find out more if they search a bit inside http://www.catholic-ew.org.uk

 

[benedictine]

The English Royal Family, by LAW cannot become Catholic, or they lose their right to the throne.

Also, I give a generation, perhaps two, and the ECUSA will be more extict than a dinosaur in a scottish lake. And, this comes from an aspirant to the priesthood in that church.

 

[Michelina]

Also, I give a generation, perhaps two, and the ECUSA will be more extinct than a dinosaur in a scottish lake...

But, Benedictine, we Americans know that there is a live dinosaur in a Scottish lake.

 

[benedictine]

Good point.

 

[benedictine]

What I meant is that it will begin to fall apart. My own parish is doing that. And this is an issue that didn't begin with Gene Robinson, it was only increased by it.

 

[Lifesaver]

The English Royal Family, by LAW cannot become Catholic, or they lose their right to the throne.

Yes, that is why I hope it is the whole family, so that then the monarch will be Catholic. Though I imagine this would involve the entire British aristocracy.
Or they could just change that law.

 

[benedictine]

They should. But some greek person would be the next in line if the queen, her son, and the rest of the english royals converted.

 

[Lifesaver]

Yea, they should...

so, how come you are not a Catholic?

 

[benedictine]

Me?

 

[Jamme]

But, Benedictine, we Americans know that there is a live dinosaur in a Scottish lake.

Its a loch.

A LOCH!!!

And he's a monster, not a dinosaur.

Now that I have clarified that one....

Most (if not all) Catholic Brits were either murdered or forced to convert some time back - so the majority of Catholics in Scotland are Irish immigrants, and in England are immigrants from continental Europe. Converts to the faith make up a small minority.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

I've heard that England these days isn't really Anglican or Catholic, but secular, and less than 50% of people attend church or believe in God.

I found an interesting websit on the Church in England by a group titled Evangelicals Now.

Here is some of what they say:
Total church attendance in Great Britain (figures are not available for Northern Ireland) is just under 8% of the population, although over 13% in Scotland. During the 1990s churchgoing did not decline in Berkshire, Greater London or Surrey.

Those are low numbers but they are better than many other West European countries.

There is some good news from the UK. I found the article I linked to above to be interesting.

Dominus vobiscum,
Kenith

 

[garydench]

About 70% of Brits class themselves as Christian - the vast majority Anglican. But on an average Sunday you're likely to find more Catholics in pews than Anglicans.

There were a number of converts to the Catholic Faith during the 1990s and the Church did speak about the conversion of England but I can't see it happening any time soon. The CCEW rally needs to break out from under the wing of the CofE which is largely viewd as irrelevant.

Solid Roman doctrine eloquently conveyed combined with efforts to improve liturgical discipline as well as improvements in standards of music and architecture would certainly get the bums on pews. But, alas, it sometimes seems that Catholics are... well... afraid to be Catholic.

 

[Lifesaver]

They seem to be. That is why the holy Mass increasingly looks like a UN-prayer gathering. The justification is that "what is important is what is inside"; sure, that is indeed true, but it is also true that the outside (liturgy, architecture, music) is a reflexion of what is inside.

 

[Michelina]

But, alas, it sometimes seems that Catholics are... well... afraid to be Catholic.

We've got the same problem on this side of the pond, old chap!

 

[Markh]

I think you've all got it about right.

I am not optimistic about the UK.

I see Anglicanism continuing down the plug hole, the remaining conservative wing will convert our way, but overal, our bishops seem too much into social teaching.

they will make press releases about "dropping the debt" or "give money to africa" or "make prisons nicer" you will never see them saying "abortion is wrong" (let alone "murder")

The bishops are too English when the rest of us are secular. Including most Catholics i'd guess over 99% of young Catholics are not in full allegience to the pope.

 

[PioMagnus]

There is talk about Tony Blair converting, but I think he publicly said that he wouldn't be pushing for a change in the "no-Catholic" laws.

And now for something completely different...

OKay, I know this is a dumb question, but please humor me.

What exactly is the difference between England and the UK?

Further, if people from England are referred to as English, people from the UK are referred to as what?