Many Agree That The Catholic Church Needs Sweeping Changes.

For years, the Catholic Church has seen dramatic declines in Mass attendance. Many agree that the Catholic Church needs sweeping changes.

I wrote about why people leave church here. I wrote about the differences between the perceived reasons and the real reasons here.

Many agree that the Catholic Church needs sweeping changes. Image from StockCake/AI-generated, in the public domain — Many agree that the Catholic Church needs sweeping changes. | Image from StockCake/AI-generated, public domain

Is “Poor Evangelization” the Problem?

In 2021, Bishop Zubik of Pittsburgh closed the Catholic church that I attended in my youth. In 2018, there were 188 parishes in the diocese. Today, there are 63 parishes in the diocese. At the time, America Magazine, a Jesuit publication, wrote:

“The parish closings follow years of falling Mass attendance—the diocese reports it is down by more than 40 percent since 2000—and decreased participation in the sacraments. The number of priests in the diocese is also expected to fall from 200 today to 112 in 2025.”

The Bishop noted the practical realities of falling attendance and rising costs. He suggested that the solution might be better evangelization. As if to say that (after 2000 years) if only more people knew more about the Catholic Church, then there would be more people in the pews.

But, here’s the thing. People know about the Catholic Church, both the good and the bad. Those who like it stay. Those who don’t like it leave.

Is “Too Much Reform” the Problem?

In 2025, Eric Sammons wrote “Catholics are Rapidly Losing Ground,” an editorial in Crisis Magazine, a neo-conservative Catholic magazine. Sammons quoted a recent Pew Research Center study when he wrote:

“For every 100 people who join the Catholic Church, 840 leave. So when you rejoice seeing folks become Catholic at Easter (which you should), remember that more than 8 people have left by the back door for each one who’s come in the front.”

“No other religion has nearly as bad of a join/leave ratio. For every 100 people that become Protestant, 180 leave. That’s bad, but it’s not Catholic bad. Conversely, for every 100 people who leave the religious ‘nones,’ a full 590 become part of that irreligious cohort….”

“The status quo that has reigned over the past 60 years must become a thing of the past….”

“Catholics (should) entertain significant reforms: it must include how bishops manage the Church, how we celebrate Mass, how we educate our children, how we interrelate with other religions, and every other aspect of ecclesial life. A few practical ideas that come to mind:

Promote homeschooling among Catholics
Make the traditional Latin Mass much more widely celebrated
Abolish the USCCB
Halt all interreligious activities
Return to the Baltimore Catechism
Bring back year-long Friday abstinence
Shut down parish sports leagues that play on Sundays.”

Today, the Catholic Church is split between liberal Catholics and conservative Catholics. Liberals say that the church needs more reform, and conservatives say that the church needs less reform. Sammons is essentially suggesting a rollback of reforms that took place in the 1960s.

But here’s the thing. Conservatives like Bishop Zubik and Eric Sammons assume that the Church is doing the right things, but the wrong way. Many of us who left the Church thought that the Church was NOT doing the right things, NOR were they doing them the right way.

Is “Too Little Reform” the Problem?

Much Catholic doctrine derives from tradition, rather than scripture, and Jesus had nothing to say about abortion or same sex marriage. Also, he had nothing to say about the papacy or the priesthood. He had nothing to say about original sin or the Trinity, either.

In my opinion, there are many aspects of Christian doctrine that could be reformed to reflect advances in history, philosophy, and science.

Sammons says, “If Facebook executives found out that for every 100 people who join their platform, 840 leave, you can be sure they would consider sweeping changes.” I agree, but I think that the problem is too little reform, not too much reform.

Following Pope Francis’ death, Vatican observers are wondering whether the next Pope will be a liberal, like Francis, or a conservative, like Benedict XVI or John Paul II. Many Catholics expect that the pendulum will swing and that the Cardinals will elect a conservative pope.

But, here’s the thing. There is an age limit on voting (but there is NOT an age limit on “poping”) so only 135 cardinals are eligible to vote. Also, 108 of the cardinals who are eligible to vote were appointed by Pope Francis.

Many Agree that the Catholic Church Needs Sweeping Changes

A Catholic priest who is a good friend of mine addressed my concerns about the need for reforms. “The Church is a large institution,” he said. “Change happens slowly. Remember Galileo? Maybe in 100 years, the Church will embrace some of these changes that you are seeking.”

But, here’s the thing. I will NOT be here in 100 years. My children will NOT be here then. My grandchildren will NOT be here then, either. What happens when more people (like me and many others who have already left) decide that they can NOT wait for the Church to catch up?

Many agree that the Catholic Church needs sweeping changes. Will the Church be able to change? If so, will change come soon enough?