An "Aging Boom" for American Catholicism
More Catholics on the way
They're likely to be gray-haired, healthy and rich
By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
National Catholic Reporter Issue Date: February 2, 2007
"There’s a common lament in Catholic circles and it has to do with the number of “gray heads” that show up for church events. A room full of older Catholics is universally understood to be a bad thing, whereas a room full of young people would, presumably, be interpreted as a godsend.
Such reactions pivot on the common sense assumption that youth equals growth, while old age means decline. Yet given the “through the looking glass” demographic situation in which the world today finds itself, in many ways the exact opposite is the case. In the United States, the current total of 35 million Americans who are 65 or older, according to U.S. Census data, will more than double to 71 million by 2030.
That reality, combined with the sociological fact that the elderly are much more likely to take religion seriously and to practice their faith, suggests that the “graying” of the population -- far from being something to lament -- actually represents a potential “boom cycle” for the churches, if they know how to react."
Although the above article is no longer available online, John Allen has continued his optimistic viewpoint on the "greying" of American Catholicism, now at his own publication Crux.
"ROME – When he addressed an international congress on the pastoral care of the elderly yesterday, Pope Leo laid out the demographic premises for an honest assessment of Catholic life these days, but he didn’t quite draw out the logical pastoral consequences – in part, perhaps, because there’s only so much you can do in a brief 900-word address."
The theme of the Congress – “Your elders shall dream dreams!” (cf. Joel 2:28) – recalls the words of the prophet Joel so dear to Pope Francis, who often spoke of the need for an alliance between young and old, inspired by the “dreams” of those who have lived long lives and enriched by the “visions” of those who are beginning the great adventure of life. [1] In the passage, the prophet announces the universal outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who creates unity among generations and distributes different gifts to each person.
The elderly are a gift, a blessing to be welcomed, and a longer life is something positive; indeed, it is one of the signs of hope in our time, everywhere in the world. Of course, it is also a challenge, because the growing number of elderly people is an unprecedented historical phenomenon that calls us to discern and understand the reality in new ways.
Old age is above all a beneficial reminder of the universal dynamic of life. Today’s prevailing mentality tends to value existence if it produces wealth or success, if it exercises power or authority, forgetting that the human being is always a limited creature with needs. The fragility that appears in the elderly reminds us of this common truth; it is therefore hidden or removed by those who cultivate worldly illusions, so as not to have before their eyes the image of what we will inevitably become. Instead, it is healthy to realise that ageing “is part of the marvel of creation.” [2] This fragility, “if we have the courage to acknowledge it,” to embrace it and take care of it, “is a bridge towards heaven.” [3] Instead of being ashamed of human weakness, we will in fact be led to ask for help from our brothers and sisters and from God, who watches over all his creatures as a Father.
Drawing on the Scriptures, the wisdom of the Fathers and the experience of the saints, the Church is called to offer times and tools for understanding old age, so that we can live it in a Christian way, without pretending to remain forever young and without letting ourselves be overcome by discouragement. In this sense, the catechesis that Pope Francis dedicated to this theme in 2022 is invaluable, developing a true spirituality of the elderly: we can draw on it to set up useful pastoral work.
Today, many people, having finished their working years, have the opportunity to enjoy an increasingly long period of good health, economic well-being and more free time. They are called “young elderly”: often they are the ones who attend Mass assiduously and lead parish activities, such as catechesis and various forms of pastoral service. It is important to find an appropriate language and opportunities for them, involving them not as passive recipients of evangelisation, but as active subjects, and to respond together with them, and not in their place, to the questions that life and the Gospel pose to us.
As the President’s Council on Bioethics predicted twenty years ago, the United States is on the brink of becoming a “mass geriatric society.” According to the Census Bureau, Americans aged 14 and under presently outnumber those 65 and above by almost two-to-one, 60.5 million to 34.7. By 2050, that ratio will have swung strongly in the opposite direction. There will be 75.9 million Americans above 65, as opposed to 59.7 million under 14, meaning the elderly will outnumber the youngest in the country by more than 16 million.
The pontiff, who is himself awfully active despite recently turning 70, also noted that one characteristic of this rapid aging – what some wags call the “Grayby Boom” – is that many elderly people remain in good health and stay active for long periods of time.
“Today, many people, having finished their working years, have the opportunity to enjoy an increasingly long period of good health, economic well-being and more free time,” he said. “They are called ‘young elderly.’”
He then applied that insight to Catholic life: “Often they are the ones who attend Mass assiduously and lead parish activities, such as catechesis and various forms of pastoral service,” Leo said.
“It is important to find an appropriate language and opportunities for them, involving them not as passive recipients of evangelization, but as active subjects, and to respond together with them, and not in their place, to the questions that life and the Gospel pose to us,” the pope said.
In the United States, the Catholic Church will have 6.8 million additional members over the age of 65 by 2030, by far the most substantial expansion of any subgroup in the Church. Inevitably, these trends mean that the Church will be pressed to invest an increasing share of its resources in ministry to the elderly
As Pope Leo hinted, none of this is bad news for the Catholic Church. Typically we associate youth with dynamism and age with decay, but given the new demographic realities this isn’t necessarily the case today.
Given that the elderly are disproportionately likely to take religion seriously and to practice their faith, the “graying” of the population – far from being something to lament – actually represents a potential “boom cycle” for the Catholic Church, if it has the imagination to grasp the moment.
By 2030, 6.8 million additional Catholics in the United States will be entering the stage of life where they are most likely to pray, to go to church, to reflect on religious subjects and to be open to a deeper religious commitment. Improvements in general health mean the elderly can remain active members of the church for much longer periods of time. Three in four persons aged 65-74 in the United States, and two in three of those over 75, say their health is “good to excellent.”
They also have the means to contribute financially to the church; the advertising firm Martino and Binzer, which specializes in “mature marketing,” estimates that Americans over 55 possess $1.5 trillion in discretionary spending.