Will he rise again in Europe, too?

We covered the increase in female religious vocations in Italy. We summarized an article in the German magazine Der Spiegel headlined "Religion, Born Again." The article made its case from a worldwide perspective, but added that "there are signs that faith in God" is growing "even" in the West.

In an astonishing article in the Weekly Standard, Joshua Livestro wrote about the revival of Christianity in thoroughly secularized Holland. He quoted a book by "professional trend-watcher" Adjiedj Bakas and Minne Buwalda, who predict: "Throughout Western Europe, and also in Holland, liberal Protestantism is in its death throes. It will be replaced by a new orthodoxy."

Christian books are selling well in Holland, and a prayer-in-the-workplace movement has been surprisingly popular. Crucifixes have been re-introduced to Catholic schools, and school Masses which were formerly empty are now packed.

So far, all this shows is that there is significant anecdotal evidence that there is reason to hope. There is no evidence of a massive religious revival. But even signs of hope have been rare in Europe.

So what has happened? What has changed? There are several possible factors.

One factor: the blurring of borders by the European Union and the media revolution. National identity is important to shaping personal identity. Secularized nations produced secular citizens. But with the decline of nationalism in Europe, a new generation has arisen - a generation less tied to national identity, and more open to suggestions about what to believe.

Shop Timeless Catholic Gifts

Islamic extremism is another possible reason for a return to Christianity. Violence on European soil may have made the continent view its own future with more caution: The Danish cartoon riots, the Paris car-burning sprees, the Madrid and London train bombings, the violence after the pope spoke in Regensburg, Germany.

Islam itself isn't the problem. An extremist brand of Islam is. But as more immigrants fill Europe from Islamic backgrounds, that distinction is often lost on the natives. Many merely see their way of life disappearing. Some may search their own religious roots in response.

But even that is not the major factor.

Any analysis of the growth of Christianity in Europe would have to acknowledge the spiritual leader of Europe for nearly 30 years, Pope John Paul II - and his close friend and successor, Pope Benedict XVI.

It was John Paul's stated desire to lead the West back to its Christian roots. That's what he meant by "the new evangelization."

John Paul left behind him the seeds of a religious revival: The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Jubilee Year, the wildfire growth of the movements he encouraged within the church, the World Youth Days, the Year of the Rosary (and the growth in personal prayer), the Year of the Eucharist (and the growth in adoration), and, after his death, the Synod on the Eucharist, a roots-up revamping of the Mass.

Instead of delineating and denouncing the darkness, he lit candles whose light is impossible to ignore.

He also had a direct affect on Europe by the way he revitalized the faith of the Polish people.

"In the midst of a continent that suffers from priest shortages," said one British newspaper, "Poland is the only country in Europe that is overflowing with priests" - priests who, increasingly, are being sent to churches in other countries. News reports show how British churches that were empty a short time ago are now filling up with Polish immigrants.

Even in Germany, which didn't have Poland's Catholic background, the fact that the new pope is dynamic, courageous and German is having an effect.

The success of Pope Benedict's World Youth Day in Cologne, and September trip to Germany, caught his home country by surprise. A German newspaper called him "The Pope of Hope."

Is it possible that Christianity could return to secular Europe?

Easter teaches us the same lesson every year: Even the dead can rise.

Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle For a Loved One

Contact

National Catholic Register
http://www.ncregister.com ,
- ,

Email

Keywords

We Will Pray with You: Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »