2. 7 Forces Challenging the Church

3. 1. More minorities F Fastest growing population: Hispanics F Different brands of Catholicism F Different needs F Widening gap between rich, poor

4. 2. Aging population F Different needs F More demands on time F More volunteers available F “Young” retirees

5. 3. Fewer Priests, Religious F In some parts of the US, 1 priest for 50,000 Catholics F Less talk about vocation: approx. 120,000 religious men & women in US F More opportunities for volunteerism, service F More foreign-born priests

6. 4. Different Family Configurations F More single parents, changing status F Working parents F More transients, changing jobs F Older parents

7. 5. More financial challenges F Church income as compared to other denominations: –Jews: 13% –Protestants: 4% –Catholics:.7%

8. 6. Young people F More and different needs F Transient F Poorer vs. wealthier F Spiritual, but not Catholic F Looking to serve

9. 7. Secularization of Society F Religion not welcome in the market place F Privatization and dichotomization F Extremes: right and left F Schisms F Moral, ethical questions F Embattled Church