In reality, only 12,000 of the more than 25,000 faithful who attended Mass in 2013 do so now. It is certain that the problem is not just the pandemic
Newsroom (07/01/2023 12:55 PM Gaudium Press) In Amsterdam, it is projected that, in the next five years, 60% of the churches will be closed.
The diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, which has existed for almost five centuries, covers the province of North Holland and the southern part of the province of Flevoland.
It includes the Dutch capital, the most populous city in the country. At a recent meeting with his clergy, Archbishop Jan Hendricks said it was clear “that the Corona virus pandemic has accelerated the process of downsizing we were already in: elderly parishioners have aged even more and, occasionally, have stopped attending church; others got used to a different style of Sunday mornings, volunteers withdrew, and choirs stopped.”
Diocesan officials point out that, of the 164 churches in the diocese, 99 are expected to close in the next five years. Of the remaining 65, 37 would continue for five to ten years as “supporting churches”, and only 28 would remain “core churches.”
In reality, only 12,000 of the more than 25,000 faithful who attended Mass in 2013 do so now. It is certain that the problem is not just the pandemic: the vicar general of the jurisdiction, Fr. Bart Putter, confirmed that, in the 1950s, 80% of the baptized went to mass. Now only 3% of the 425,000 who are registered as baptized do so.
The explanations are clear. But the reality is that societies despise faith and, therefore, are heading towards their dissolution, for the life of grace is the cohesion and future of human groups. It is clear that this reality, which is not just a privilege of the Netherlands, deserves an examination of conscience at all levels, including the ecclesiastical.
In the past, evangelization started from scratch; for example, 40% of Catholics live in a country like the Netherlands. Today, not even 5% of these people believe much in their faith. Perhaps too much exposure to a world that is far from being conquered by Christ’s banner, infected the church with its banners.
Compiled by Raunaq Fernandes with files from The Pillar
