There is great need of some Catholic evangelization if the church is to survive and continue to grow. Catholicism has been experiencing decline over the years. The process began back in the 15th century and it continues to suffer a downward trend even till the modern day.
Back in the early days there was only one Christian church. With the adoption of Christianity as the religion of Western Europe, Rome held the seat of power over the whole international church. However, as fracture and disintegration began to take hold, the central church of Rome became identified as Catholics. The governing seat was maintained at the Vatican and the Pope remained the presiding pontiff.
Thanks to colonisation of South America by southern European countries, Catholicism still holds its position as the world biggest Christian denomination. The most populous countries of Latin America are mostly adherents of Catholicism. Both Mexico and Brazil are cases in point. The Latin European countries have also remained staunchly behind the church of Rome, particularly, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Most Irish and Polish people are also predominantly followers of Catholicism.
After the 15th century, breakaways from Catholicism began to occur at increasing rates of incidence. New churches emerged particularly in Britain, Holland and Germany who were intent on asserting their own authority and independence from Rome. This trend went hand in hand with the growth of these countries as colonial powers as they began to annex sections of the world as parts of their empires.
Independence from the political power of Rome is probably best illustrated in the case of Britain and the rise of the Protestant church. It all began with King Henry the Eighth who was married to the Spanish queen Catherine of Aragon. He wanted to divorce her and marry the English girl Anne Boleyn but was prevented from doing so by Roman doctrine. It was decided that the King of England should be head of its own English church and the Protestant Church of England was born.
In the same way that the Protestants splintered from the main church, Protestantism also experienced breakup in turn. Other important churches grew independently, namely, the Baptists, Presbyterians and the Methodists. In Germany and the Netherlands, the Lutheran church and the Dutch Reform church began to hold sway. The growth of America also fuelled the trend. As the provided sanctuary to persecuted churches, many start-ups that were considered heretical in their home countries, set sail for America.
The largest growing denomination in the world today is the Pentecostal one or the variation of worship known as Charismatic. This is the branch favoured by black people in America, the Caribbean and in Africa.
In order to stem the trend of decline, Catholic evangelization may be a very important strategy that should be implemented at the earliest opportunity. The growth of alternative churches is happening at its expense. They have achieved success with the use of evangelistic ministry so maybe taking a leaf out of their book is in order.
Back in the early days there was only one Christian church. With the adoption of Christianity as the religion of Western Europe, Rome held the seat of power over the whole international church. However, as fracture and disintegration began to take hold, the central church of Rome became identified as Catholics. The governing seat was maintained at the Vatican and the Pope remained the presiding pontiff.
Thanks to colonisation of South America by southern European countries, Catholicism still holds its position as the world biggest Christian denomination. The most populous countries of Latin America are mostly adherents of Catholicism. Both Mexico and Brazil are cases in point. The Latin European countries have also remained staunchly behind the church of Rome, particularly, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Most Irish and Polish people are also predominantly followers of Catholicism.
After the 15th century, breakaways from Catholicism began to occur at increasing rates of incidence. New churches emerged particularly in Britain, Holland and Germany who were intent on asserting their own authority and independence from Rome. This trend went hand in hand with the growth of these countries as colonial powers as they began to annex sections of the world as parts of their empires.
Independence from the political power of Rome is probably best illustrated in the case of Britain and the rise of the Protestant church. It all began with King Henry the Eighth who was married to the Spanish queen Catherine of Aragon. He wanted to divorce her and marry the English girl Anne Boleyn but was prevented from doing so by Roman doctrine. It was decided that the King of England should be head of its own English church and the Protestant Church of England was born.
In the same way that the Protestants splintered from the main church, Protestantism also experienced breakup in turn. Other important churches grew independently, namely, the Baptists, Presbyterians and the Methodists. In Germany and the Netherlands, the Lutheran church and the Dutch Reform church began to hold sway. The growth of America also fuelled the trend. As the provided sanctuary to persecuted churches, many start-ups that were considered heretical in their home countries, set sail for America.
The largest growing denomination in the world today is the Pentecostal one or the variation of worship known as Charismatic. This is the branch favoured by black people in America, the Caribbean and in Africa.
In order to stem the trend of decline, Catholic evangelization may be a very important strategy that should be implemented at the earliest opportunity. The growth of alternative churches is happening at its expense. They have achieved success with the use of evangelistic ministry so maybe taking a leaf out of their book is in order.
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