Yet another recent study highlights the declining vitality of Christian faith in the traditional stronghold of Europe while it continues to thrive in Africa and Asia.
Twenty years ago I first experienced the winds of change. Living with the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) near Bonn, Germany, there was a modest seminary on site. Of the 30 seminarians then in formation, I recall 28 from Africa or Asia with the other 2 hailing from Poland. I further marveled at the unconditional acceptance of these younger men by the older priests nearly all of whom were German. Never did I hear an unsupportive word spoken by any of the older priests. Quite the contrary: they were emboldened to spread the faith to far distant peoples with a fervor for vocations hatching there. I’d say, they have had enormous success in preaching the Gospel.
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/06/03/africas-catholic-population-has-grown-by-238-per-cent-since-1980/
