by Andrew Koslosky KGCHS, Contributing Writer

The Catholic Church, with its two thousand years of history, its global reach, and profound spiritual teachings, has long been the cornerstone of religious life for millions. Over the last twenty years, it has faced a steady exodus of members, particularly in the Western world. Understanding why people leave the Church is not only a matter of sociology or theology, it’s a window into the evolving relationship between faith, culture, and personal conscience.

Today we will take a moment to look at why people leave the Church and the new movement that is turning the trend.

According to Pew Research, nearly one in ten American adults is a former Catholic. As of 2025, there are almost 75 million Catholics in America and 1.4 Billion Worldwide. Prior to 2020, for every person who joins the Catholic Church, more than eight leave. The majority of those who leave do so before the age of 23, often during adolescence or early adulthood.

Many former Catholics cite disagreement with Church teachings as a primary reason for leaving.

Many cite dissatisfaction with teachings on abortion, marriage and homosexuality. Some are unhappy with the Church’s stance on birth control.

Many sight the clerical abuse cases as an excuse, but those who have studied the issue come to the conclusion that this is more a convenient excuse. More than likely, the answer reflects the broader tensions between traditional doctrine and modern cultural values.

In 1970, more than half of America’s Catholics said they went to Mass at least once a week. By 2022, that had fallen to 17%, according to The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, a research center affiliated with Georgetown University that conducts social scientific studies about the Catholic Church.

Among millennials, the number is just 9%. Even as the U.S. Catholic population has jumped to almost 75 million, driven in part by immigration from Latin America, ever-fewer Catholics are involved in the church’s most important sacraments. Infant baptisms have fallen from 1.2 million in 1965 to 440,000 in 2021, CARA says.

Catholic marriages have dropped by well over two-thirds in the same time span. Among those who leave the Catholic Church, 71% say their spiritual needs were not being met in the Catholic Church.

Many describe Catholic liturgy as uninspiring or impersonal, and homilies as “boring” or “irrelevant”.  While not the top reason, the sexual abuse crisis has deeply shaken the trust of many. About 27% of former Catholics say the scandals played a role in their departure.

For some, the issue is not only the abuse itself but the institutional cover-ups and lack of accountability. Most concerning is that most cite a lack of community or feeling like “just a number” in large, impersonal parishes. There were those who felt alienated by the Church’s hierarchical structure and lack of lay involvement. 

Additionally, the study claims that a strong majority are those moving away from a familiar parish or after marrying a non-Catholic. In many cases this often leads to disengagement with the Church. 

Interestingly, some simply drift away, especially if they were not strongly catechized or supported in their faith.  A recurring theme in surveys is that many who leave never fully understood what the Church teaches or why. Poor catechesis, especially in the post-Vatican II era, has left generations with a shallow grasp of doctrine, making them more susceptible to secular or alternative spiritual narratives.

Catechesis is about teaching the fundamentals of the faith. “Catechesis is nothing other than the process of transmitting the Gospel, as the Christian community has received it, understands it, celebrates it, lives it and communicates it in many ways.”  (General Directory for Catechesis #105). Studies show that most Catholics were lacking in Knowledge.

The good news, it is well reported over the last few years that many people who have left the Church are beginning to return. For some, this return was prompted by the ‘great pause’ of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns, which caused many to consider what really matters in life.

Reconnecting with your faith can be complex, particularly for those who believe they have been mistreated by the Church. But upon a close personal examination, is something we cannot ignore. We are in need with a close relationship with God. 

However, in today’s world, the Church is still caught between three competing visions. Progressives call for reform, greater inclusion of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and a rethinking of moral theology.

Traditionalists argue that the Church has lost its identity by compromising too much and seek a return to Latin Mass, stricter catechesis, and moral clarity. Then, of course there is the Truth, the Word, the teachings of Christ.

All of our Christian denominations are facing the same challenges.

The Catholic Church, in its efforts to stem the tide of departures, has turned its focus on community with small groups, vibrant parishes, and personal relationships. Better preaching and liturgy with engaging homilies are reawakening the faith. Teaching the “why” behind the “what” of Catholicism is essential.

People are being drawn back through modern programs that shift from Catechesis to Evangelization. Evangelization involves a change in focus from primarily teaching Church doctrine to actively introducing people to Jesus Christ, walking with them while they are fostering a personal relationship with Him. This involves a move from focusing on knowledge of the faith to experiencing the faith through encounters with Jesus and active participation in the Christian community.

The shift focuses on forming disciples who live out their faith authentically in all aspects of life. This involves fostering a deeper understanding of the faith and encouraging active participation in the Church. In regard to our youth, it recognizes the family as the primary place of faith formation and seeks to involve parents in the process. This shift acknowledges that the way parents live out their faith significantly impacts children’s retention of faith.

Leaving the Catholic Church is rarely a simple decision. For some, it’s a quiet drift; for others, a wrenching break.  Behind each departure is a story of unmet needs, unanswered questions, or unhealed wounds. While the Catholic Church faces challenges, there is a noticeable trend of people returning to the faith, particularly among younger generations. This return is driven by a variety of factors, including a desire for meaning, community, spiritual healing, and a desire to provide a faith foundation for their children.

Perhaps you or someone you know are in this situation and do not know how to come back or how to become active in your prayer life again. The first thing you need to know is that you are always welcome back. God loves you and is waiting for you to come home with open arms. Most people discover that coming back to the Church is not an event as much as it is a process that involves a little pain, a little laughter, some thinking, some prayer, some discernment and a lot of letting go.

May I suggest, this very morning a simple Good morning God…maybe pray the Lord’s Prayer and a Hail Mary. The very next day, follow the same prayers but take some time to listen for the Holy Spirit to reach out to you. Lastly, how about coming to mass this Sunday. What a smile you will put on Jesus when He sees you.

The next step will be to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then the Eucharist. Take your time, but while doing so open your eyes, your ears and your heart. God will send the Holy Spirit to give you strength, knowledge and courage. All you have to do is open yourself up to it.

This week we pray for all those looking to get back in touch with Jesus. Peace my Brothers and Sisters, until next week…