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S i d e b a r
Why Catholics Leave
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This Rock
Volume 16, Number 3
 March 2005 
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The typical lapsed Catholic didn’t just wake up one day and decide to leave the Church. Most drift away gradually, filling up the time they once spent at Mass, in the parish, and in prayer with other activities. Some leave out of boredom, ignorance, or severe misunderstandings of even basic teachings of the Church. Many leave because of anger and pain caused by members of the Church or because of anger at God. Comparatively fewer leave because of doctrinal concerns. Generally, there are four main reasons:
1. Personal faith issues, such as an absence of family faith formation or proper Catholic education, a shallow or even twisted relationship with Jesus Christ, and anger at God. These are all major challenges facing many Catholics. Such Catholics need a complete program of outreach with catechesis at its heart but probably including counseling and spiritual direction. But it always begins with love and a simple willingness to listen.
2. Community issues, including a dreary parish, liturgical infidelity, and the failure of clergy. Such Catholics need to see a truly faithful parish with involved, informed, and loving parishioners.
3. Doctrinal conflict, such as disagreements over papal authority, the sacraments, marriage and divorce, and sexual morality. Such Catholics need a patient but orthodox demonstration that their rejection of Church teachings is rooted in fear, personal ignorance, and misunderstanding. Many will need help in regularizing their marriages where that is possible.
4. Cultural influences, such as social upheaval caused by jobs, relocations, and school. Pressure from friends, coworkers, and even family members may contribute to the gradual movement away from the faith. Secular humanism advocates excessive individualism and promotes religious indifferentism. Such Catholics need a genuine Catholic environment where they can learn to recognize and resist negative influences.
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