The Counsel of Trent
#1020 - Protestantism is Winning (and the Lesson for Catholics)
Apr 14, 2025
The discussion highlights the surprising resilience of Protestantism amidst claims of its decline. It reveals demographic shifts showing a trend of Catholics moving toward Protestant or non-religious identities. There's an insightful analysis of conversion trends, with some Protestants converting to Catholicism. The challenges facing Catholics in engaging with their communities are emphasized, alongside the need for a more inviting parish experience to attract lapsed members back to the faith.
18:16
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Protestantism is currently experiencing a slower decline and better retention rates compared to the significant membership losses faced by Catholicism.
- To revitalize Catholic engagement, communities must focus on fostering personal relationships and inviting former members back into their parishes.
Deep dives
The Growth of Protestantism
Protestantism is currently attracting more adherents and slowing its decline compared to Catholicism, which has experienced a significant decrease in membership. Recent research indicates that only 19% of Americans now identify as Catholic, down from 24% in 2007, while the percentage of Protestants has dropped by a smaller margin. Despite some perceptions of a resurgence in Catholic and Orthodox conversions, the reality shows that the non-religious demographic is increasing rapidly, outpacing the conversions within the faiths. This creates a distorted sense of reality based on online narratives that suggest a larger trend towards Catholicism rather than acknowledging the broader societal changes at play.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
