Mass Exodus: Catholic Disaffiliation in Britain and America since Vatican II

The Second Vatican Council in 1962 aimed to revitalize the Christian life of the faithful, particularly through reforms in the Church's liturgy. However, statistics show a significant decline in Catholic attendance in America and Britain over the past fifty years. Catholicism is not the only Christian group to have experienced declines, but Catholics tend to attend Mass more frequently and retain their faith better than many Protestant churches. Mass Exodus, by Stephen Bullivant, is the first serious study of Catholic lapsation and disaffiliation and offers a comparative analysis of secularization in Britain and the USA.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 336 pages
\n Publication date: 30 May 2019
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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In 1962, Pope John XXIII inaugurated the Second Vatican Council, heralding a new era for the Church. The Council Fathers, driven by a desire to invigorate the Christian lives of the faithful, focused their attention on the laity and initiated a series of sweeping reforms. Among these, the most significant endeavor was to reimagine the Church's liturgy, recognizing its pivotal role in shaping the Christian experience. The goal was to make the liturgy pastorally effective, reaching out to the faithful in a meaningful way.

However, over fifty years later, the statistics tell a different story. In America, only 15% of cradle Catholics regularly attend Mass, while 35% no longer identify as Catholic in surveys. In Britain, the situation is even more dire, with only 13% of Catholics attending Mass weekly and 37% claiming to have no religion. It is easy to point the finger at Vatican II and its sweeping reforms as the culprit for these declines. After all, the Council introduced significant changes to the Church's liturgy, sacraments, and teachings, which some argue have led to a loss of faith and devotion among Catholics.

But is this narrative entirely accurate? Catholicism is not the only Christian denomination to experience a decline since the 1960s. Many Protestant churches have also witnessed a decrease in attendance and retention rates. In fact, Catholics often exhibit higher church attendance and better retention than most Protestant churches. This suggests that the issue of Catholic lapsation and disaffiliation is more complex than simply attributing it to Vatican II.

In his book, "Mass Exodus: The Crisis of Catholic Disaffiliation in Britain and the United States," Stephen Bullivant undertakes a comprehensive historical and sociological study of Catholic lapsation and disaffiliation. Drawing on a wide range of theological, historical, and sociological sources, Bullivant offers a comparative analysis of secularization across two famously contrasting religious cultures: Britain and the USA.

Through his research, Bullivant identifies several factors that contribute to Catholic lapsation and disaffiliation. These include the rise of secularism, the decline of religious belief, the sexual abuse scandal, and the challenges faced by the Church in adapting to modern society. However, he also emphasizes the positive aspects of Catholicism that have helped it to retain its followers, such as its strong sense of tradition, its emphasis on the sacraments, and its commitment to social justice.

Bullivant's book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of Catholicism. It challenges the simplistic narrative that blames Vatican II for the Church's problems and offers a more nuanced understanding of the factors that have shaped Catholic disaffiliation in the past and present. By examining the experiences of both Britain and the USA, Bullivant provides insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the Catholic Church as it seeks to navigate the changing landscape of religious belief and practice.

In conclusion, "Mass Exodus: The Crisis of Catholic Disaffiliation in Britain and the United States" by Stephen Bullivant is a thought-provoking and insightful book that sheds light on the complex factors contributing to Catholic lapsation and disaffiliation. By offering a comparative analysis of secularization across two contrasting religious cultures, Bullivant challenges the notion that Vatican II is solely responsible for the Church's problems and provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the Catholic Church in the future. As Catholics and other religious communities navigate the changing landscape of religious belief and practice, this book will be an invaluable resource for understanding the complex dynamics of religious change and its impact on individuals and communities.

\n Weight: 554g\n
Dimension: 147 x 222 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780198837947\n \n