Why do some Catholic leaders seem irreligious? And what is the data on Catholic Priests and other leaders who lost faith during or after retiring?

[RileyG]

I recently began experimenting with a Catholic church and became curious how many of them are atheists or may become atheists. I have read statistics suggesting that as many as 4 in 5 "abandon traditional theology" while 2 in 5 will leave the Catholic church. To me, these statistics seem unrealistically high but when I was in inside an actual Catholic church recently (Palm Sunday) and their clergy style seemed extremely unenthusiastic to the point that I became convinced that there are many of them who are irreligious. Their service almost sounded sarcastic, like it was some SNL skit to mock how the Catholic church is all tradition and no religion (as some Protestants retort). I might just be too unfamiliar with the Catholic church's traditions, but I don't understand their worship style and each service is kinda repetitive. I almost feel like I'm watching the exact same movie over and over when I go to this particular Catholic church.

To me, this simple fact seems extremely discouraging toward experimenting more with the Catholic faith. I agree with the Catholic principle that all who espouse belief that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and are saved through baptism, faith, and works will enter heaven regardless of denomination (as I don't believe any denomination that denies these things is truly "Christian"). But I'd rather be protestant my whole life than enter a denomination with a poor track history of having religious leaders who are actually religious. The fact that as many as 81% are pretending is a statistic that hurts. Some statistics claim it is lower however, but never a number lower than 1 in 3 being irreligious. I want to believe that it's rare but when common people in most Christian nations are (statistically speaking) more religious than your religious leaders, that's a huge problem.

Forgive me if you're Catholic and this post offends you. I'm curious about those two things primarily: why do Catholics worship in such a lackluster manner that it seems as if they don't actually believe a word they are saying, and what is the data on those who lose their faith? And what could actually be the reason they lose their faith? I was on Quora and some users claimed it's because of the rules on Catholic priests, who are required to abstain from marriage or any form of romance. News of sex abuse scandals between the clergy and parishioners have also been cited as motivating factors for them to lose their faith and become apostates of Christianity, either openly or secretly.

Regardless, I'd love to be educated by either Catholics or others who may know the answer or part of the answer. Thank you and God bless you all this Easter Sunday evening (from the east USA).

It seems you are not familiar with liturgical Churches where they follow a specific order and responses.

Liturgical Churches include the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, Assyrian Church of the East, the Lutheran Churches, the Anglican/Episcopal Churches, and to a lesser extent, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed Churches.

I have no idea where you got your statistics from. They don’t sound accurate.

Peace

 

[RileyG]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: 1324 The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life."134 "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it."

Part Two Section Two The Seven Sacrements Of The Church Chapter One The Sacraments Of Christian Initiation Article 3 The Sacrament Of The Eucharist I. The Eucharist - Source And Summit Of Ecclesial Life

www.vatican.va

Catholics believe they are truly in the presence of Jesus Christ during the mass and what goes on at the mass is considered solemn and holy. Thus there is not a lot of jumping around and such outward expressions of enthusiasm. As to those Catholics who "lose their faith" the vast majority never really had proper understanding of their own faith to begin with. Without such understanding and a solid prayer life Satan is able to lead many away.

Thank you. Very well said!

 

[9Rock9]

There are lots of Protestant sex abuse cases, most recently unearthed in the Southern Baptists. Something not working there either.

With the SBC, though, it seems mostly relegated to seminaries and local churches. Apparently, the DOJ dropped all sex abuse related charges against the SBC.

 

[chevyontheriver]

With the SBC, though, it seems mostly relegated to seminaries and local churches. Apparently, the DOJ dropped all sex abuse related charges against the SBC.

Are you somehow excusing this because no charges were filed against corporate SBC? Lots of 'charges were not filed' situations happened in the Catholic Church too, but that's no excuse. We are still looking at bishops who knew or even should have known about abuse. For one I'm glad that the dirt swept under the carpet gets discovered. Sunlight is a good disinfectant.

 

[Michie]

It sounds like the op should discuss questions with a priest and attend some RCIA classes. Scott Hahn’s journey from Protestantism to Catholicism is a good read. Rome Sweet Home. He has other books too explaining the liturgy. Reading the CCC can answer questions as well. Always get your info from Catholic sources. Too much junk out there concerning Catholicism. May God lead you.

 

[Adventist Heretic]

I recently began experimenting with a Catholic church and became curious how many of them are atheists or may become atheists. I have read statistics suggesting that as many as 4 in 5 "abandon traditional theology" while 2 in 5 will leave the Catholic church. To me, these statistics seem unrealistically high but when I was in inside an actual Catholic church recently (Palm Sunday) and their clergy style seemed extremely unenthusiastic to the point that I became convinced that there are many of them who are irreligious. Their service almost sounded sarcastic, like it was some SNL skit to mock how the Catholic church is all tradition and no religion (as some Protestants retort). I might just be too unfamiliar with the Catholic church's traditions, but I don't understand their worship style and each service is kinda repetitive. I almost feel like I'm watching the exact same movie over and over when I go to this particular Catholic church.

To me, this simple fact seems extremely discouraging toward experimenting more with the Catholic faith. I agree with the Catholic principle that all who espouse belief that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and are saved through baptism, faith, and works will enter heaven regardless of denomination (as I don't believe any denomination that denies these things is truly "Christian"). But I'd rather be protestant my whole life than enter a denomination with a poor track history of having religious leaders who are actually religious. The fact that as many as 81% are pretending is a statistic that hurts. Some statistics claim it is lower however, but never a number lower than 1 in 3 being irreligious. I want to believe that it's rare but when common people in most Christian nations are (statistically speaking) more religious than your religious leaders, that's a huge problem.

Forgive me if you're Catholic and this post offends you. I'm curious about those two things primarily: why do Catholics worship in such a lackluster manner that it seems as if they don't actually believe a word they are saying, and what is the data on those who lose their faith? And what could actually be the reason they lose their faith? I was on Quora and some users claimed it's because of the rules on Catholic priests, who are required to abstain from marriage or any form of romance. News of sex abuse scandals between the clergy and parishioners have also been cited as motivating factors for them to lose their faith and become apostates of Christianity, either openly or secretly.

Regardless, I'd love to be educated by either Catholics or others who may know the answer or part of the answer. Thank you and God bless you all this Easter Sunday evening (from the east USA).

in my experiance, I find that familiarity Breeds contempt. for some reason the more one has contact with spiritual things the more they seem common place. and loose there special status. As believers we idealize the ministry and romanticize it, but the reality is that these are normal people with very human issues trying live in a broken world. They are suppose to be above us or at advanced in the spiritual training. To think they have problems like every commoner is beyond what most people can handle.

 

[9Rock9]

Are you somehow excusing this because no charges were filed against corporate SBC? Lots of 'charges were not filed' situations happened in the Catholic Church too, but that's no excuse. We are still looking at bishops who knew or even should have known about abuse. For one I'm glad that the dirt swept under the carpet gets discovered. Sunlight is a good disinfectant.

Fair enough. Just been seeing so much slander directed at my denomination that I can get a little defensive about it

 

[chevyontheriver]

Fair enough. Just been seeing so much slander directed at my denomination that I can get a little defensive about it

Sorry, but try being Catholic some time. It’s been an onslaught since 2002. Public school teachers have a far worse abuse profile than Catholic priests. But since you can’t sue the public schools for damages it’s almost like it never happened. But you can sue your Catholic dioceses for millions. Follow the money.

The real problem is the nearness of sexual deviancy in our culture.