February 26, 2008
Back in the day, nearly every Catholic dressed up for church, arrived on time and attended every Sunday, and priests conducted masses in Latin.
Oh, how times have changed.
Now, many families have limited church attendance to holiday occasions, as Sundays have become overcrowded with birthday parties and sporting events. Many of those who do attend regularly show up in jeans and sweat shirts, pay attention to a couple of words of the homily and don’t even sing the hymns.
Clearly, the Catholic Church has loosened up. This is not to say that Catholicism has become too easy and too forgiving. The Catholic faith still does not allow priests to marry, and children who attend Catholic schools are still infused with a sense of eternal guilt.
However, the style of worship appears to be shifting. Suffering is no longer at the foundation of the congregation. The new focus is geared more toward praising and celebrating.
There are several possible explanations. For one, people may simply be too lazy to follow the old strict rules and principles. It is likely that the church sensed the need to adapt as people began to give up or lose interest.
Another possibility is that busy schedules simply did not allow for the kind of dedication that used to be required.
This change in religion is especially relevant during Lent. Some people used to fast all 40 days of Lent. Those who did not would give something up that was genuinely important to them. Everyone went to church on Ash Wednesday to celebrate the beginning of Lent and receive ashes. Churches were packed every Sunday during the Lenten season.
Now, there are very few hard-core Catholics who still have the discipline to fast. Many people either forget or lack the time and restraint to give something up and attend church regularly during Lent.
While the loosening of the policies of the Catholic Church is in some ways positive, many people are moving in the direction of becoming too ignorant and not caring enough about their faith.
At the same time, some people are unhappy with the changes, believing that they will destroy the integrity and tradition of the church. This is a valid concern as very few people still abide by the Ten Commandments.
This lack of religious efficacy is not entirely the church’s fault. Throughout the past few decades, the church has been making steps to modernize. For example, services are now offered in English rather than Latin, the priest faces the congregation and more modern music is used. Church activities, such as youth groups, are offered to get children involved.
Undoubtedly, the Catholic Church will never return to the way it was 50 years ago. That would be disaster as daily life and people in general have changed.
Therefore, it is crucial for the church to adapt. However, it is the duty of the people to use the opportunities offered by the church to grow in faith.
