Also it would not be surprising if the horrors the priest sex abuse scandals of the last decade and a half played a BIG part in the decrease of Catholics.
But always remember that priests are way down on the list — even behind non-Catholic ministers, etc.
The decline began waaaay before the whole pedophile priest scandal. Roughly back to Vatican II when the RC Church we’d all been raised in become something quite different.
My husband and I, non-Catholics, have been attending Msgr. Pope’s parish Masses for the better part of the past year. I would venture a guess that if more priests and parishes were conducted like his, (very traditional RC except the music), the pews would fill up again.
Msgr. Pope’s sermons are deep, but stated in terms anyone can understand. He refers to many of the lessons of the Bible as Jesus ‘painting a picture ..” He gives plenty to think about, and behaviors to try to emulate for life (or at least the following week). It’s not at all what one would expect there in the middle of “the swamp” of DC. Msgr. Pope promotes protests at the PP abortion center, and decries abortion, ‘gay marriage,’ and other currently politically correct lifestyles that even most Catholic priests and bishops are afraid to approach..
As to the music exception in this parish, it’s a plus IMO. The parish was created in the mid 60s, joining a then-Black and a then-White parish. My husband has referred jokingly to the main Sunday Mass as a “Baptist Mass,” so strong is the black influence on the music. Best choir and music. Literally rocks. The Mass last two hours. Everything, but everything, is sung. Some fantastic singers, and great hymns. And nearly the entire church is filled with a incredibly diverse congregation: black/white, young/old, Republican/Democrat. What joins them is their faith as expressed by Msgr. Pope on behalf of the RCC.
the incidence of abuse among teachers, protestant ministers, scout leaders, etc. was MUCH greater than Catholic priests...not making an excuse, just pointing out reality.