A Welcoming Church

by Editor · Published January 14, 2018 · Updated January 13, 2018

The decline of Christianity in Europe found alarming expression last month when a survey revealed that only half of all Germans were planning to attend church services for Christmas.

Worse yet, among Catholics that figure was only a third.

There was a time, not long ago, when churches could expect to be packed twice a year: for Christmas and Easter. Evidently, there is no more certainty of that, even in a country as tied to traditions as Germany.

In South Africa we have not yet reached that point. Generally, our churches are full, depending on the concentration of Catholics in a given area. Even in the cities, where the process of Western secularisation is more accelerated than it is in rural areas, Masses are still well attended, even outside the celebrations of Christmas and Easter. Certainly, the number of South African Catholics who have abandoned the Church of their youth — for other faith groups or no faith at all — is increasing

But we must not fool ourselves that all is well. Many of our pews would be a lot emptier were they not filled by devout Catholics with origins in other African countries.

Certainly, the number of South African Catholics who have abandoned the Church of their youth — for other faith groups or no faith at all — is increasing. The spiritual disease generated by the forms of Western secularisation which reject and marginalise religion is spreading also in our country.

To some extent, the Catholic Church, like the other mainstream churches, has no control over that process. Every extended Catholic family, even the most pious, will have in it members who have abandoned the faith. And the reasons for them doing so are diverse.

At their best, such families and their parishes — and in some cases Catholic schools — have instilled in their young people a Christian ethos that will give them a sound moral basis from where they can do God’s work, even without realising it.

Even in a time when it is no longer common that Catholics return to the Church when they start their own families, surely some of them will return after a period of experimentation with alternative belief systems and due discernment, hopefully able to build on the foundation of faith they received as children. Their task is to provide the children and teenagers in their care with faith foundations which will inform their ethics and give them the spiritual means to remain in the faith, or to return to it if and when they are ready

This places a huge responsibility on parents and catechists. Their task is to provide the children and teenagers in their care with faith foundations which will inform their ethics and give them the spiritual means to remain in the faith, or to return to it if and when they are ready.

While catechism classes and good parenting are very important, and Catholic schooling desirable, the transmission of faith takes place most effectively through personal relationships.

The Evangelical churches know that, and most of them cultivate an atmosphere of welcome and personal outreach. Arguably it is that, more than theology or liturgy, which attracts Christians to them. Those who cross over from the Catholic Church, or other mainstream churches, to Evangelical bodies may well identify the attraction of fellowship, of the personal touch, as a key reason for leaving

These churches not only use the terminology of fellowship but also practise it. Those who cross over from the Catholic Church, or other mainstream churches, to Evangelical bodies may well identify the attraction of fellowship, of the personal touch, as a key reason for leaving.

Many young Catholics, it may be added, also move fluidly between the different ways of being Christian, attending both Mass and Evangelical services.

When there is a sense of alienation from the local church community — of not being made to feel included in a parish when one comes to Mass — people are prone to drift away. The need of a personal touch is perhaps felt even more keenly in an age when many human relationships are exercised by digital means.

The need of a personal touch is perhaps felt even more keenly in an age when many human relationships are exercised by digital means. Often, contact on social media serves as a substitute for face-to-face encounters.

It is here where parish communities can be missionaries. Sometimes a simple greeting for the stranger in a congregation can make a big difference.

Inviting a new member of the congregation for a drink or a braai can build the kind of personal relationship that is so powerful in transmitting the faith. Evangelisation can take place over a cup of coffee or a beer. By opening the doors to people who are unsure of their faith we can provide room in which they can encounter Christ.

By opening the doors to people who are unsure of their faith we can provide room in which they can encounter Christ.

This is what Pope Francis is calling for when he wants a Church that throws open its doors.