Thread by @jdflynn

At #USCCB19, +Barron will now give a report on evangelizing the "nones"

+Barron:
Committee on Evangelization + Catechesis has consulted with Brandon Vogt from Word on Fire, Curtis Martin from FOCUS, sociologist Dr. Chris Smith, and Dr. Chris Baglow, an expert on the relationship between faith and science.

+Barron:

50% of Millennial Catholics have left the Church.

1 out of 6 millennials in America is a now a former Catholic.

(note: Barron defined "millennial" as "under 30." Pew defines it as those born after 1981. Not sure which one statistics refer to)

+Barron:

25% become Evangelical
25% switch religions
50% become "nones"

They leave very young, according to stats.

+Barron:
Why do they leave?
Data says-
- They no longer believe basic Christian doctrines
-Relativism- young ppl are uncomfortable with strong statements about God, faith, or morality
-'Culture of self-invention' - assumption that individual can make up his own mind about truth

+Barron:
'Why do they leave' continued:
-See faith as illogical or unscientific
-do not accept Church's teaching on sexuality.

+Barron:
"Here's the good news" -
-Few nones are fiercely anti-religious. Most nones are "blandly indifferent to religion." "That's a sign of hope."
-The Jordan Peterson phenomenon: Says Peterson is talking about Scripture to millions of young ppl on YouTube.

+Barron:
"The good news, continued"
-Catholic Campus Ministry Groups" FOCUS, St Paul's Outreach, etc
-Online Engagement about Religion:
Says Reddit has lots of discussion about religion. Says he did an AMA. Says it was 3rd most popular AMA in the year. Says that's a sign of hope.

+Barron:
Says at November meeting, he will debut some videos he has been working on with the committee about this.

#USCCB19

Questions:
+O'Malley- This is a big issue. We should send more priests to be military chaplains to work with young men and women who are in the military.

+Barron: I agree. We send Word on Fire videos to the military chaplains.

#USCCB19

+Strickland: Want to affirm that evangelization of the nones "is the critical issue." I would encourage us all to realize that evangelization of the nones is related to addressing the crisis. "It really is one topic."

+Barron: Thanks.

+Coyne: Could we talk about cultural and sociological issues we face in dealing with millennials during the Nov. discussion. By the time they turn 40, most millennials have moved 17 times. The parish model does not work for them. This leads to isolation and loneliness.

+Barron: I agree. People aren't going ot come to our institutions. So we need to go to them on social media.

(note from JD: I am a millennial. I have moved at least 10 times. I don't feel lonely, but I do understand what he's saying)

+Estevez: Is there any research done on those who stay in the faith? Seminarians for example.

+Barron: That's a good point. We talk to those who've left. But to talk to those who've stayed...young Catholics I talk to say they want to be a part of the renewal of the Church.

+Barron: Brandon Vogt is a millennial. To draw on the wisdom of people like that is important.

+Rosazza: Thanks, +Barron. Does this apply to Hispanics?

+Barron: There has been research on this. As Hispanics inculturate, they become nones.

+Rosazza: What's a Reddit?
+Barron: An internet-based forum for social interaction.
+Rosazza- Ret-tick?
+Barron: Reddit. I'm not sure what it stands for.

#USCCB19

+Sample: In the Pacific Northwest, we are the epicenter of the "nones." We need to realize how many people have never experienced a Church or ecclesial community at all. We need to get back to a basic proclamation of the good news.

(Note from JD: +Rosazza is 84 years old, and asked a question with humility, in order to learn about young people. It was a sweet moment. If you dunk on him, you are a tool.)

+Barron: I agree. We need to clear the ground to help young people to get out of dismal space that "new atheists invited them into." That's why I like Peterson. He is a "way station" to open things up along the way.

+Duca: I'm reminded of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Also, I would suggest that the dialogue with young people and experts you're suggesting become a part of our conference meeting.

(met with applause from about half the bishops, in my estimation.)

+Ricken: Thank you. This is an important discussion. And we should recognize the importance of parents on this issue. We need this discussion- evangelization is the mission of the Church.

+Barron: That's right. To keep kids in the faith, families should talk about religion more.

+Pfeiffer (emeritus of San Angelo): Many people have not encountered Jesus and we need to stir up the fire of the Holy Spirit among those who do not have that experience.

We need a true sense of welcome and love in our community that they don't find.

#USCCB19

+Johnston: I was surprised to hear that many people religiously disaffiliate at age 13. That points to the importance of families, and also the importance of worshipping God. Worship is very important. I hope your committee will address.

+Barron: Yes. sociologist Jean Twenge notes this. Young people do not identify as spiritual or religious. Because of the "cut flower" theory. If you cut flowers and take them out of water, they die.

+Knestout: Thank you. This is very important. The importance of personal experience and personal conversion- I would note that the power of Eucharistic adoration for conversion.

+Barron: Yes. Adoration draws them in. It's amazing.

+Mark O'Connell: We should stop talking about "millennials." People who are 19 or so are not millennials. We should just say "young people."

+Barron: Yes. Thanks.

+Naumann: The importance of conversation stories is powerful. For example, Jennifer Fulweiler.

+Barron: Yes. Leah Libresco's conversion is powerful too.

And with that, dear friends, we're going to lunch. Your faithful live-tweeter will be back for the afternoon session.

I'm getting some crab cakes.

#USCCB19

Bishops end morning session with the Angelus, led by +Gomez.

#USCCB19