Number of Catholics diminish in Brazil

Staggering decrease in Brazilians who identify with being Catholic

Pilgrims carry a cross to the altar during a Mass at the close of World Youth Day's missionary week in Nilopolis, Brazil, July 21. The prelude to the World Youth Day main events gave pilgrims from outside Brazil a chance to take part in local spiritual, mission and cultural activities. CNS photo / Tyler Orsburn

Brazil has been known to be a country with many Catholics, so it should be shocking to see the data of a poll about their Catholic demographic having the stilts kicked out of its once tall figures.

By only a little over a decade, the percentage of Brazilians who identified with being Catholic dropped about 30 percent, according to an article by the Wall Street Journal.

In a 1990 census, the figure was over 90 percent. In 1994, it was 75 percent. Now, it is only 57 percent.

Evangelical Protestant groups have made big inroads, and the country has become more secular amid economic growth. A Datafolha poll released Sunday showed that 57% of Brazilians call themselves Catholic today, compared with 75% in 1994.

"It's a bit strange for someone my age to go to Mass—all I see are old people," said Luisa Marazzi, a 16-year-old Brazilian Catholic who made a 10-hour road trip with her father to Rio for the event. "The problem has been the lack of young leaders, and even the language they use in church, sometimes it's hard to understand."

This information is part of a larger story on the importance of Pope Francis' visit to Brazil and its effect on the future of the Church.
 
The Wall Street Journal has the full story.