The Catholic Church: Adapt or Wither

The Roman Catholic Church is afflicted by a retention and spirituality problem in the United States. The decline of the Catholic Church in the United States comes as surprise because of the progressive reforms made at Vatican... [ view full abstract ]

The Roman Catholic Church is afflicted by a retention and spirituality problem in the United States. The decline of the Catholic Church in the United States comes as surprise because of the progressive reforms made at Vatican II in 1965 to modernize the church. Many Catholics are still disappointed with the lack of liberal changes after Vatican II and the Catholic Church’s views on gay marriage, celibacy of priests, the use of contraception, and the ordination of women. I myself am Roman Catholic and come from a very large Irish and Slovak Catholic family, two of many ethnicities whose cultures are closely linked with Catholicism. I have witnessed friends and members of my family follow the general trend discussed by scholars, of members becoming estranged from the Catholic Church for its conservative beliefs, its many distant, uncaring leaders and the lack of a spiritual relationship with God. However, there is a sense of hope associated with the Catholic Church since the election of Pope Francis I who has already made multiple progressive reforms. I will explore my family's relationship with the Catholic Church as a case study of the recent trends of Catholicism and the future of the Catholic Church.