3108.—Progress of Catholicism
By Editor
Is it not true that many of the Catholics are being converted to the Protestant belief, and that the evils of the Catholic Church are being exposed? Or are the Catholics increasing in power and numbers in the United States and in the world? In a recent issue of the SIGNS is a brief article on the increase of Roman Catholics in the United States. See "Catholicism in America," page 11 of the issue of April 12. There are those who are contending that the Roman Catholic Church is losing more than it is gaining. Its loss, however, is not through the conversion of large numbers to Protestantism, but through utter indifference. Men drift away from the Catholic Church, losing regard for all religion. It seems to be evident that the Roman Catholic Church is gaining in influence constantly in official circles, in its general broad influence, and in the attitude of Protestants. The very fact that Protestantism is weakening and drifting from its old moorings and principles, and the added fact that Roman Catholicism is standing decidedly for its convictions, gives a strength to Roman Catholicism which modern Protestantism does not have.