Grace Thompson
Catholicism is the most diverse Christian denomination in the United States in terms of race and ethnicity, and the number of self-identified Catholics has been increasing. However, the percentage of practicing Catholics is unclear, with no clear definition of what constitutes a practicing Catholic. While 21% of Americans identify as Catholic, only 39% of them attended church weekly in 2018, and only 25% attended Mass once a week or more in 2011. In the UK, 25% of Catholics attend Mass weekly, and in Croatia, 40% of those who identify as Catholic attend Mass regularly.
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What You'll Learn
Mass attendance
In the United States, weekly Mass attendance among Catholics has dropped significantly since 1970, falling from 55% to 20% in 2022. This decline in religious participation rates is also reflected in the number of priests, which has decreased from 59,000 to 35,000 over the same period. As of 2018, 39% of American Catholics attended church weekly, compared to 45% of American Protestants. A 2014 Pew Research survey found that 25% of US Catholics attended Mass once a week or more, while 38% went at least once a month.
In the United Kingdom, around 25% of Catholics attend Mass every week. In Croatia, 80% of the population considers themselves Catholic, and half of those attend Mass regularly.
It is worth noting that Mass attendance is not the only indicator of Catholic practice. Other factors such as belief in Catholic tenets, participation in other religious rituals, and identification with the Catholic faith also play a role in determining the level of Catholic practice in a given population.
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Catholic tenets
While there are no exact statistics on the percentage of practising Catholics worldwide, sources suggest that the number of practising Catholics is decreasing, especially in Western countries, where many people are considered Catholic based on their baptism, even if they do not actively practise the religion or believe in its tenets.
Catholicism has several tenets, or fundamental beliefs, that form the basis of the religion. These include:
- Belief in God: Catholics believe in one true God, as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and various ancient creeds such as the Athanasian Creed and the Apostles' Creed.
- The Trinity: Catholics believe in the Holy Trinity, which consists of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
- The Commandments: Catholics are expected to follow the Ten Commandments, which include directives such as "Thou shalt not kill," "Thou shalt not commit adultery," and "Thou shalt not steal."
- The Seven Sacraments: The Church recognises seven sacraments, which are sacred rituals that impart grace and are believed to be instituted by Christ. These include baptism, confirmation, first communion, confession, marriage, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick.
- The Holy Days of Obligation: Catholics are expected to attend Mass and refrain from work on certain holy days, such as Sundays and other designated feast days.
- The Virtues: Catholicism promotes the Seven Capital Virtues, which are considered opposites to the Seven Deadly Sins. These include chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, forgiveness, kindness, and humility.
- The Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy: Catholics are encouraged to perform spiritual and corporal works of mercy, such as feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and comforting the afflicted.
- The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, Catholics believe they receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described in the Book of Isaiah.
These tenets provide a framework for Catholic doctrine and guide the spiritual practices and beliefs of adherents.
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Self-identification
In the United States, the percentage of Americans who identify as Catholic has fluctuated over the years. As of 2021, 21% of US adults described themselves as Catholic, a figure that has remained relatively stable since 2014. This corresponds to approximately 72 million people. However, the number of practising Catholics is likely lower. In 2011, an estimated 26 million American Catholics were considered "fallen-away", meaning they were not actively practising their faith. A 2015 survey by Georgetown University researchers found that about 25% of US Catholics attended Mass once a week or more, and 38% attended at least once a month.
In Croatia, 80% of the population considers themselves Catholic, according to a Reddit user from the country. However, only half of that 80% attend Mass regularly, and many do not follow the Church's teachings on contraception. This suggests that while a large proportion of Croatians identify as Catholic, the number of practising Catholics is lower.
It is challenging to determine an exact percentage of practising Catholics due to the lack of a clear definition of what constitutes "practising." Some people may consider attending Mass regularly as the primary criterion, while others may focus on internal subscription to the Nicene Creed, participation in sacraments, or daily prayer. The level of adherence to Church teachings can also vary among those who identify as Catholic.
While the number of self-identified Catholics provides a broad understanding of the religion's reach, it does not necessarily reflect the level of active participation and engagement among followers. The definition of "practising" is subjective and can vary across individuals and communities. Therefore, the percentage of practising Catholics within a given population is likely lower than the percentage of self-identified Catholics.
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Catholic sacraments
The Catholic Church has seven holy sacraments, which are seen as mystical channels of divine grace, instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church. Each sacrament is celebrated with a visible rite, which reflects the invisible, spiritual essence of the sacrament. The seven sacraments are:
Baptism
The sacrament of admission to the faith, bringing sanctifying grace to the person being baptized. In Catholicism, the baptism of infants is the most common form, but unbaptized children or adults who wish to join the faith must also receive the sacrament. A person is to be baptized only once in their life, and the Catholic Church recognizes baptisms done by most other Christian denominations as valid. In the Western or Latin Church, baptism is usually conferred by pouring water three times on the recipient's head, while reciting the baptismal formula: "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." In the Eastern Catholic Churches of Byzantine Rite, immersion or submersion is used, and sprinkling is also accepted as valid under certain conditions.
Confirmation
The second sacrament of initiation, confirmation "confirms" a baptized person in their faith. The rite of confirmation can occur as early as age seven for children who were baptized as infants but is commonly received around age 13. It is performed immediately after baptism for adult converts. A bishop or priest normally performs the rite, which includes the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing and the anointing of the forehead with chrism (holy oil) with the words, "Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit."
Eucharist
The Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is the third sacrament of initiation and can be received daily if desired. It is the central rite of Catholic worship. A baptized child's First Communion is usually celebrated around age seven or eight and is preceded by their first confession (the sacrament of Reconciliation). During the mass, the priest consecrates bread and wine, the elements of the Eucharist, which are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. As a memorial of Christ's sacrifice on the cross and a reflection of his Last Supper with his disciples, the congregation then shares in the sacred meal.
Reconciliation
Also known as Confession or Penance, the sacrament of Reconciliation is an opportunity for renewal and can be done as often as needed. It is a means of obtaining pardon from God for sins for which the sinner is truly remorseful, bringing the sinner back into communion with God and the Church. The sacrament requires that the person take full responsibility for his or her sins, both in thought and action, and recount them privately to a priest, who is seen as a healer aiding the process. The priest commonly assigns acts of penance, such as specific prayers or acts of restitution, to be completed in the following days.
Anointing of the Sick
This is one of the two sacraments of healing. It is a means of providing spiritual healing and comfort to those who are ill or facing surgery, and it is often administered by a priest.
Holy Orders
This sacrament of service is the ordination of bishops, priests, and deacons, who are given the authority to carry out the other sacraments.
Matrimony
The second sacrament of service, matrimony, is the celebration of the marriage between a man and a woman. It is a public declaration of their love and commitment to each other and to God.
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Catholic weddings
According to the Vatican's Statistical Yearbook of the Church 2021, there are over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, making up 17.7% of the global population. The yearbook also revealed that in 1991, 8.9% of Catholic marriages involved a Catholic marrying a non-Catholic, while in 2021, this figure was 20.2% for North America, 28.3% for Oceania, and 1.7% for Central America.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of Catholic weddings. For Catholics, marriage, or holy matrimony, is a religious sacrament, often involving sacred, time-honored rituals. Here are some key aspects to consider for a Catholic wedding:
Pre-Wedding Requirements
Before a Catholic wedding is approved, couples may need to submit specific documents and participate more actively in church activities. Additionally, they will typically undergo an intensive marriage preparation process, which may include a required waiting period. This preparation often involves meetings with the priest, who will explain the church's teachings on marriage and outline the process and programs offered.
Choice of Church
Couples usually choose their home church for the wedding ceremony. However, they may opt for a family church or one that holds special significance. If the couple wishes to marry outside their Catholic church, they must seek permission from their bishop.
Wedding Date and Time
The choice of date and time for a Catholic wedding is subject to certain restrictions. Weddings are typically not held on Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, or Holy Saturday. Additionally, a wedding mass cannot coincide with a bigger feast day, such as Sunday or Easter. Parishes with more masses on Sundays may make a Sunday wedding less feasible.
Wedding Attire and Photography
The decision to have a Catholic wedding may influence the bridal attire and the overall bridal party. It is important to consult with the priest about any specific requirements and restrictions, including those related to photography. Flash photography and the movement of photographers within the church may be subject to rules set by individual priests.
Wedding Ceremony
The Catholic wedding ceremony is steeped in deep spirituality and symbolism. It includes rituals such as the breaking of the host, communion, and final blessings. Couples do not recite personalized vows during the ceremony but can choose to exchange personal sentiments before or after the official rites. Unlike in movies, there is no moment where the priest asks for objections to the wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no clear definition of what constitutes a "practicing" Catholic. However, according to a 2021 report, 39% of American Catholics attend church weekly, while 25% attend Mass once a week or more. In the UK, around 25% of Catholics attend Mass weekly. In Croatia, 80% of the population considers themselves Catholic, and half of those attend Mass regularly.
In the US, about 10% of the population as of 2010 are former Catholics or non-practicing, amounting to nearly 30 million people. In 2011, an estimated 26 million American Catholics were considered "fallen-away", meaning they were not practicing their faith.
According to the Vatican's Statistical Yearbook of the Church 2021, there are more than 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide, comprising 17.7% of the global population.
The Vatican's Central Office of Church Statistics collects data on baptisms, first Communions, confirmations, and Catholic marriages from dioceses around the world. However, the Church does not appear to have a detailed list of criteria for what defines a "practicing" Catholic.
