Can a Catholic Church Survive Post Francis



To an outsider, it seems like the same thing is happening across the Christian landscape in all denominations. One faction of the faith is becoming more conservative, made up mostly of older members and distancing itself from others. Liberal factions, like the Methodist church, charge ahead reflecting modern views and a sort of "suburban" set of young parents who are church goers. This probably applies to the huge Catholic denomination but its size and hidden statistics make it difficult to sort out what is happening. Prominent Catholic columnist Ross Douthat is also trying to figure all this out.

He notes that Pope Francis' efforts to broaden the denomination's appeal has not stopped the decline in numbers. Francis has not been successful either in eliminating the desire of some factions to worship the fetus and hold Latin mass. Thus, Douthat concludes, both the conservative and liberal factions will continue on even after Francis is gone.

Even if conservatives are able to continue keeping their faction alive and well, its members will be surrounded in real life by Catholics who do not march to their tune and to young people continuing to leave. Attempting to drive the church back to an era like Benedict will hit a brick wall. Francis has hit a brick wall trying to push the church to the left.

Douthat's assumption that Francis is making a push to move Catholics to the left is, or course, his own assumption about what Francis is trying to do. It seems possible Francis does not think anyone can push the denomination to the left or right but Rome can provide forums in which people can argue about things. Certainly Francis is doing that. The "synods" seem to be in place permanently and all the visiting about controversies should help provide direction. 

As the average age of Catholics rises we can expect pressure to the right. As numbers of youth continue to fall there will be pressure to move to the left. As revenue continues to fall we can expect influence to fall as well. 

A Catholic denomination will survive Francis. What that denomination if all about we don't yet know.

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