Calling All Reverts!

Last updated on: May 2, 2016 at 11:31 am by Joanne McPortland

Calling All Reverts! 2016-05-02T11:31:49-06:00 Joanne McPortland

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

CARA, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, has just published some speculative demographics (h/t New Advent) on Catholic reverts—those of us raised as Catholics who leave the Church for a time and then come back. The numbers are interesting to me, as is CARA’s contention that reverts, and not just immigrants, are helping to keep Church membership numbers steady in the face of attrition by mortality, low birth rates, and drift away from the Church.

Who are the Catholic reverts? Currently, these are people who are disproportionately between the ages of 25 and 34 (currently a combination of the oldest Millennials and the youngest of the Post-Vatican II Generation). A plurality of regularMass attending Catholic reverts (41%) are of the Post-Vatican II Generation (ages 31 to 51). Another numerous group of reverts are in their retirement years (age 65 or older). Younger reverts may be coming back as they marry and raise children—seeking out sacraments. Seniors may turn back to the faith of their youth just at the moment they begin to face the autumn of their life.

Behind the numbers, of course, are stories. I’ve shared some of my reasons for reverting, but I’m always curious. If you are a revert, what brought you back? If you are a lapsed or “ex”-Catholic, what if anything would call you back? If your parish has a ministry of outreach to Catholics no longer practicing, of what does it consist? Many of the standard Welcome Home resources used by parishes and dioceses are geared more to converts than reverts, but I think we are overlooking an untapped source of energy for the New Evangelization in the renewed zeal of the second-time-arounders. Speak up!

Previous Post

June 20, 2012

The Juiciest Tomato

Next Post

June 22, 2012 Philadelphia Freedom

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion Advent Art Bishops Book Review Catholicism Fortnight 4 Freedom In the News Lent Marriage Mary Mental Health New Evangelization Nuns Pilgrimage 2012 Pop Culture Pope Francis Religious Education Reverts Saints' Lives and Legends Sin Staying Catholic Uncategorized Year of Faith

Select a Month May 2016 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 November 2011 April 2011 March 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the name "Isaac" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

He rules He fights He prays He laughs