Growth of the Catholic Church
By J. W. Christian
VERY few of our Protestant friends realize the enormous growth of the Catholic Church. Only a few years ago the world was astonished to learn that the number of communicants in that church had reached the million mark. Since then the list has grown by leaps and bounds. We are assured by Wiltzin’s Official Catholic Directory, which is now on the press, that there are 14,618,761 Catholics in the United States. This does not include those of the island possessions; for with them, we are told, there would be over twenty-three million Catholics living under the stars and stripes. The report of the Religious Census Bureau for 1906 gave the Catholic Church credit for a membership of 12,790,142. This difference is accounted for partially because the Census Bureau deducted fifteen per cent for children, counting only the communicants, while the present figures give the number as reckoned by the church. It is interesting to note, further, that there are now in the United States 17,084 Catholic priests, and 13,461 churches, 917 of which have resident pastors. Catholics also control 4,972 parochial schools, with an attendance of 1,210,131. In addition to this there are 225 colleges for boys, 696 academies for girls, and 82 ecclesiastical seminaries. The following States in the Union have the largest number of Catholics: New York, 2,758,171; Pennsylvania, 1,527,239; Illinois, 1,446,400; Massachusetts, 1,380,921; Ohio, 694,271; Wisconsin, 540,956; Missouri, 452,703; Minnesota, 441,081; Iowa, 242,109; Nebraska, 122,710; Kansas, 102,108; Colorado, 99,485. In whatever way we may seek to explain this wonderful increase, there can be no question as to the steady growth of the Catholic Church. Nor can any unprejudiced observer fail to read the signs of the times. To see that Rome’s power is felt in the political world, not only in the European countries but also in this country, one has but to follow the trend of politics, which show plainly that her influence is courted by men who seek positions of trust and honor in our national government. It is her aim to make herself felt, and her opportunities are many. Not only is the political situation influenced by her power, but the religious world is also catering to her in a marked manner. We are assured that “Rome never changes,” and that what she has done for other countries she is anxious to do for the United States. What may we expect when she puts her hand to the task? Is it not time for the Protestant world to remonstrate against this coming foe? Never should Protestantism forget her heaven-born work. With one hand clasping the blessed Bible, and with the other laying hold of the throne of grace, let us stand firmly for the principles enunciated by our forefathers, which shook the world, and released it from the iron grasp of the Papacy.