Tuesday, June 20, 2006
What is the Chicago Tribune thinking???

 
The Chicago Tribune has published a shocking article on our faith in France.

Here is part of it:
In France and in almost every other European country, Christianity appears to be in a free fall. Although up to 88 percent of the French identify themselves as Roman Catholic, only about 5 percent go to church on most Sundays; 60 percent say they "never" or "practically never" go.

But Islam is a thriving force. The 12 million to 15 million Muslims who live in Europe make up less than 5 percent of the total population, but the vitality of their faith has led some experts to predict that Islam will become the continent's dominant faith.

...

"Mass is boring," said Odon Vallet, a religion professor at the Sorbonne. "The ceremony isn't very beautiful; the music is bad; the sermon is uninteresting. Mass is for people who have nothing else to do on a Sunday--no sports, no hobbies, no shopping, no entertainment."

I guess Mr. Vallet has not been to a Mass in a long time because when I go I witness bread and wine become Jesus Christ. I watch the greatest of all miracles and commemorate the Sacrifice on the Cross. I take part in a event were souls are released from purgatory and graces pour forth like rays of light from the sun. I go there to receive the King of Heaven and earth. Mr. Vallet has no idea at all what he is talking about.

My priest gives excellent homilies usually. The music can also be so invigorating at some parishes like St. John Cantius in Chicago. And Paris is home to the beautiful St. Nicholas Parish.

I think it horrible that France, which was nearly destroyed in World War II, has forgotten that without God they would not be here today. It is horrible that people of there do not appreciate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

7 comment(s):

del_button June 20, 2006 at 11:39 PM
Unknown said...

Sadly it seems that France has become (or rather has been since the French Revolution) an anti-religion country, if not anti-Christian. Also, I don't know if the author of the article did their research very well. The Protestant Christian churches in Europe may be declining, but the Catholics are not!

del_button June 20, 2006 at 11:44 PM
Matthew said...

I would like to point out that especially in Germany, Catholics are growing in reponse to Benedict XVI's pontificate.

Do you have any statistics that show the increase in Catholics? I'd like to save them to my computer when I run into such poorly researched statments like the one from the newspaper.

del_button June 21, 2006 at 1:41 AM
Audrey Yu said...

I'd have to say that the statistics for France is somewhat correct. I have a pious French catholic and she verified that. I also found a similar statistic when I was doing a write-up about the status of christianity in France.

Sad, eh?

del_button June 22, 2006 at 3:56 PM
Anonymous said...

That is so unofrtunate. I will pray the rosary for te increase of Catholic faith in France and Europe.

del_button June 22, 2006 at 6:15 PM
Matthew said...

Thank you, anonymous. I feel it is greatly needed.

del_button October 2, 2006 at 8:24 PM
Anonymous said...

Here's an interesting (and positive) fact:

France has a good traditional, (for lack of a better adjective) Catholic movement (Latin Mass in union with Rome).

I don't know whether you have heard of the Chartes pilgrimage. Every year, between 7,000 and 10,000 Catholics walk 100 km., from Notre Dame de Paris to Notre Dame de Chartres, in three days. There is daily Mass (Tridentine Rite), and adoration on one night The average age of the pilgrims is 25. An awesome experience.
It really is worth looking up.

Just a little example.

Yes, things look very bad right now, maybe even for Europe generally, but there are many good things going on...we need to pray.

Some links from France:

www.nd-chretiente.com/index-site.php

http://www.salve-regina.com/

http://www.barroux.org/

del_button October 5, 2006 at 6:51 PM
Matthew said...

Frank,

Thank you for the excellent information!

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