NO, NO, and NO AGAIN!

Is this factual or fallacy?

The article ran on October 24, 2011. While I have to wonder where they selected their 1442 participants from and the criteria they used (I've met plenty of self-identified Catholics who display no other evidence of being Catholic, and numerous others who show marked confusion as to what "Catholic" means) this study can be pretty disheartening. If we let it be. 88% are religiously indifferent? Weekly Mass attendance at 31%? 40% say you don't have to believe in transubstantiation?

It's easy for those of us who are inclined to pessimism and melancholy to start wringing our hands and weeping. Some of us might be inclined to lose heart and despair. I suggest another reaction: hope.

Consider Romans 11:1-10, applied to the current situation. Consider how many times Our Lord stated that He would separate the wheat from the chaff. Remember the parable of the tares amongst the wheat. Consider how the early Church placed Her hope in His promise that the gates of hell will not prevail (Matt. 16:18). Consider the storms Mother Church has weathered since birth. Consider the plight of St. Athanasius when the Arian heresy had overwhelmed so much of the hierarchy that it seemed evil had prevailed. They were in no less hopeless a position than we are today; yet they didn't despair of the enormity of the task. Neither should we. Remember, to admonish the sinner and instruct the ignorant are both Works of Mercy!

I hope you won't take offense to my quoting a Mormon hymn from the pioneer days:

Gird up your loins, fresh courage take

Our God will never us forsake

Traitors have been in the faith since Judas. Let's not get discouraged by the weak of heart. The Novus Ordo has certainly caused a weakening of both Catholic identity and Catholic belief. But those of us who are left, by the grace of God, will be stronger for it.

Vade retro, Satanas!