Catastrophic Collapse
Immediately, in 1965, with the conclusion of Vatican Council II and the explosion of the Cultural Revolution, the thriving Catholic Revival of the postwar period exhausted itself and the expansive institutional Church collapsed catastrophically. We are still in this process. Numerically...mass attendance, vocations, school closings, weddings, etc...we are perhaps 25% of what we were in 1960 in the USA and Europe.
Lest we surrender to despair or nostalgia note that numbers do not tell the whole truth. That Catholicism would not have collapsed if it's interior strengths, spiritually and intellectually, matched its numbers. Even as a teenager in the earlier 1960s I recall reading criticisms that Catholic piety at the time was superficial, that many went to mass on Sunday because everyone was doing so, out of social pressure, rather than genuine love of God. And so, a case can be made that the loss of 75% was of many who were insincere or half-hearted. Only God can judge the heart.
Clearly, in any case, we entered a period of chaotic turmoil and change, a mass exodus from the Church, and a cultural/theological war between the progressive and the conservative/traditional Churches.
Abiding Continuity
Amidst all this volatility, rapid change and conflict what is perhaps largely underestimated is a widespread, quiet, unpretentious stability of the Church. While intellectuals, theologians, and journalists have been fighting furiously in the intellectual arenas, the simple Catholic faith continues to be practiced by the faithful, in ordinary parishes, with modest, humble priests. Catholic life continues within the sacramental economy: birth/baptism, growth/confirmation, sin/confession, marriage/childbirth, anointing/sin/death. The primary, foundational fact of Catholicism is not the culture war, but the permanent, abiding presence of Christ, quintessentially in the Eucharist and in a million practices, prayers, beliefs, sacramentals.
The powerful, iconic appeal of Pope Leo XIV is in part due to the remarkable radiance of stability, certitude, calm, confidence and permanence. He came of age in a world and Church already cast into chaos, yet a distinctive dispensation of stability seems to have been granted him. Everything about his personal history, style and deportment suggests a sublime attachment to the eternal in this world of conflict and chaos.
I myself practice the same Catholic faith that my parents received from their parents. My grandchildren are now receiving that same faith from their parents. That is five generations: over 100 years of quiet, modest continuity. That is the decisive fact of our faith! In this crazy world of transience, fluidity, impermanence and flux there is a single point of absolute certainty, serenity, and stability: our Eucharistic Christ drawing us into the eternal life of the Trinity.
Dramatic Surges of Revival
Imagining the Church as a large garden, we see it has become overgrown with dead plants, weeds, and wild out-of-control vegetation...desperately in need of cleaning, decluttering, trimming. But fundamentally, there remain rich soil, fresh streams, sunlight and a permanent base of wholesome, fruitful plants. Additionally, we will see that there is a rich variety of streams of renewal, bringing fresh life to the garden. Over the last 60 years, we see:
1. Vatican Council Itself.
The Council with an overwhelming consensus of the bishops summed up decades of ecclesial development and refigured the Church, with primacy of focus on the person/event of Jesus Christ, clearly in regards to liturgy, ecumenical union with other Churches, the primacy of religious liberty, dialogue with the broader secular culture, receptivity to the good in other religions, a renewed relationship with Judaism, and a return to the sources of our faith.
2. Dual Pontificate of John Paul and Benedict.
This remarkable "tag team," already participant in the Council as outstanding young bishop and theologian authoritatively defined the meaning of that event and in God's providence unveiled an ancient-yet-fresh theological vision for the Church going into its third millenium.
3. Renewal Movements.
A dizzying richness of dramatic events followed the Council: the lay renewal movements but also distinct developments including The Latin Mass, home schooling, small classic Catholic colleges, EWTN, and countercultural journals and literature.
4. Catholic-Evangelical Alliance.
The ecumenical reconciliation with mainline Protestantism widely anticipated in the Council was largely frustrated as the liberal congregations capitulated to the agenda of sexual liberation, including but not limited to abortion. In reaction, Catholics and Evangelical were drawn to each other in alliance against Cultural Progressivism and awareness of their union in the fundamentals of the faith.
5. Theology of the Body.
This singular achievement merits its own mention as the definitive response to the Sexual Revolution.
6. Hans Urs von Balthasar.
This Swiss theological genius, the towering Catholic intellectual of the 20th century, was ironically not present at the Council. But his monumental intellectual work will accompany that Council into the future.
7. Emergence of the African Church.
The loss of the faith in Europe is inverted in the global South, especially Africa, where we see increase in numbers, fidelity to tradition, the blood of martyrs across the continent at the hands of Islamic violence, and waves of missionaries even to the USA and Europe.
Conclusion
Holy Mother Church is ever ancient and enduring, yet always fresh, virginal and fruitful. We are living through a period of massive demolition and decluttering of bureaucracy and overgrowth. Yet there abides what is perennial, true, good and beautiful. Even as God blesses us with fresh outpourings of heavenly blessings.
It is a wonderful time to be Catholic!
