Where Have They Gone? Reigniting the Catholic Flame

By James Katende – There is an undeniable truth echoing across South Africa’s churches, cathedrals, and chapels: pews that once overflowed with faithful voices are slowly growing silent. The Catholic Church, once a strong and steady force across cities, townships, and villages, is witnessing a decline in its numbers, especially among the youth. The question is not whether this is happening—the question is: Why? And what must we do about it? We must speak honestly. We must look beyond the surface.

The Church is not merely experiencing a numbers problem—it is facing a heart problem. A crisis of relevance, presence, and engagement. While the Gospel remains as powerful as ever, many feel that the Church no longer speaks to the realities of their lives. And in this growing silence, other voices—of culture, materialism, individualism, and digital seduction—have stepped in to fill the gap. For many young South Africans, the Catholic Church is viewed as distant, rigid, formal, and slow to respond to the challenges of the modern world. The liturgy, beautiful as it is, is not always explained. The sacraments, rich in grace, are often received without deep formation. And the Church, with all its treasure of tradition and truth, sometimes fails to make the connection between sacred ritual and daily life. In an age of rapid change and information overload, people are not drawn by obligation—they are moved by encounter. And far too many have never truly encountered Christ in the Church. They have heard sermons but not felt seen. They have attended Mass but not found meaning. They have walked into buildings but not been welcomed into a family. This is not a condemnation—it is a call. A call for every Catholic to awaken from spiritual slumber and reclaim the Church not as an institution, but as a living body. A movement. A fire. The Church must rise again, not by strategy alone, but by presence.

If we want to see the Catholic Church in South Africa rise again, we must start with renewal—not just of buildings, but of hearts. Renewal begins when the Church becomes a home, not a hall. A place of belonging, not bureaucracy. A sanctuary of joy, not just silence. Our liturgies must not only be reverent—they must be alive. Priests must preach with fire and relevance. Homilies must not just explain doctrine, but apply the Gospel to the struggles of addiction, depression, poverty, injustice, and hopelessness. The altar must be a meeting place between heaven and the deepest human pain. Most Young people are leaving the Church not because they hate God—but because they are looking for purpose, and often, we’ve failed to show them that the Church is where that purpose begins. Every parish should have a thriving youth ministry—not as an afterthought, but as a priority. Music, art, mentorship, sports, digital outreach, and social justice must be tools to draw them near.

The future of the Church is not only in the hands of the clergy—it is in the hands of every baptised Catholic. The laity must rise in evangelisation, teaching, service, and compassion. Let the faithful be trained and sent. Let catechists be formed, not just to teach classes, but to change lives. Let business leaders, artists, teachers, and professionals use their platforms to be witnesses of faith. A Church that does not serve is a Church that becomes irrelevant. Let every parish adopt a mission of outreach—feeding the hungry, visiting the elderly, supporting single mothers, rehabilitating addicts, providing school support, and being present in protest and policy where injustice reigns. When people see the Church outside its walls, they begin to believe again. We are in the digital age. The Church must not fear it—we must fill it. Social media, YouTube, podcasts, mobile apps, and WhatsApp groups must be spaces where the Gospel is shared creatively and consistently. Let the Church reclaim the attention of minds that scroll endlessly in search of meaning. The question is not only what can the Church do? The deeper question is: What can I do? For the Church is not a building—it is you. It is me. It is all of us.

Go to Mass not as a ritual, but as a moment of encounter. Bring your children. Invite your neighbours. Sit with strangers. Sing with heart. Pray with faith. The Church grows when the faithful are fully alive. Let your life preach louder than your words. In your workplace, in your family, on social media—be someone whose love reflects Christ. People do not need perfect Christians—they need real ones. Reach out to the youth. Share your story. Offer your time. Listen to their questions. Walk with them. Many young people are not leaving because they doubt God—but because no one walked with them when they were searching. Join a ministry. Visit the sick. Help with RCIA. Lead a prayer group. Offer your gifts. The Church is not a place to sit—it is a place to serve. And in serving, we grow.

Nothing will change without prayer. Not routine prayer. But desperate, bold, consistent, Spirit-filled intercession. Let our homes become altars. Let our mornings begin with Scripture. Let our nights end with surrender. God is still ready to move—but He moves through hearts that are open. The Catholic Church in South Africa has been here for generations. We’ve seen apartheid fall, governments rise, and pandemics come and go. But now we face a different kind of challenge—a spiritual emptiness, a generation drifting, a faith fading quietly. But this is not the end. It is a new beginning. The harvest is still plentiful. The Gospel is still good news. Christ is still risen. And the Church is still His Bride. Now is the time for revival. Not revival in emotion alone—but revival in holiness, justice, mercy, and mission. A Church that does not wait for the world to come in—but that goes out to the world.

The decline is not final. It is a reminder. A whisper from heaven calling us to rise again. To build again. To believe again. To burn again—with the fire of Pentecost, the courage of the saints, and the faith of those who refuse to quit. If each Catholic in South Africa brings one soul to Christ, the Church will grow again. If each parish becomes a place of life, love, and learning, the Church will rise again. If each priest preaches with tears, and each family prays with sincerity, the Church will thrive again. The time is now. Not tomorrow. Now. Let the bells ring louder. Let the people return. Let the altars blaze with prayer. Let the youth come home. Let the Church live again. Amen.