Catholics worldwide

by Letters Editor · Published February 2, 2012 · Updated February 2, 2012

From John Lee, Johannesburg

Your report �Almost a third of world�s population is Christian� (January 4) refers. Figures can be misleading. In Matthew 24:14 we read that one of �the signs of the end� will be that the Gospel of the kingdom will have been preached to the whole world. Can we honestly say this has been done?

Even though a third of the world is Christian, and about 50% of Christians are Catholic, only about 17% of the world�s population are Catholic. Not very good going after 2000 years, even considering that quality is more important than number. In Spain, one of Europe�s traditionally most Catholic countries, of the 80% who describe themselves as Catholics, only 30% attend Mass.

Among the relatively small number practising French Catholics, 24% do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus, and 48% do not believe in the resurrection of the dead that they recite in the Creed (30 Days). In present day Poland only 25% of youth go to Mass.

In Brazil, the world�s most populous Catholic country of approximately 134 million, there are more ex-Catholics attending Sunday evangelical church services, than Catholics at Sunday Mass!

A very serious problem world-wide is the fact that many Catholics have a very superficial knowledge of their faith and are simply not equipped to defend the faith against the onslaughts of the many anti-Catholic evangelicals worldwide.

To compound this, Catholics have a very confused idea of the basic Gospel message�that we are justified and receive the gift of salvation though faith in Jesus Christ and by his grace.

The terminology of many Catholics seems to indicate their belief in salvation through good works, by being good or by trying harder (a heresy known as Pelagianism�salvation by one�s own efforts).

We need to witness to the fact that we are not �among the lukewarm� whom Jesus is about to spit out of his mouth (Revelations 3:16).

We must take to heart, as a priority, the call of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, to the new evangelisation. It is estimated that only 10% of Catholics are truly evangelised�brought into an effective relationship with Jesus Christ empowered by the Spirit.