Catholic Church in post Covid-19 C21

Having only just resumed Sunday mass going, given the slight relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions, looking at the position of the Catholic Church in these difficult  C21 times is worthwhile.

Last night on BBC Radio 4 there was an interesting talk on Protestantism and Catholicism  during C17. The thirty years  war (1618 - 1648) was was said to have been one of the most destructive wars in European history. 

If my memory is correct, that war turned on attempts by some Europeans to further Protestantism, whilst others wished to retain Catholicism. The Germans in the state of Saxony, developed printing well for Protestantism and produced bibles which could be read by ordinary men and women, which apparently means that even today, Bible reading is  perhaps more significant for Protestants than for Catholics.

The thirty years war according to the erudite BBC Radio 4 speaker, really only ended when both factions appreciated that it was not going to be won by any side.

Today of course, adherence to Christian religious beliefs is waning partly because of scandals, for example that of child abuse within churches but mainly perhaps, because of the attraction many have for the consumer society, illustrated for example by shops being open for business on Sundays which used to be a "day of rest". 

The local Catholic Church now has a new assistant priest and two new deacons so is still working hard for the Church and its people. However, mass attendances are rather lower than they were and with the passing round of collection plates being stopped, probably the  income of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church as well as churches generally, has suffered a steep fall.

Apparently though, according to the Radio 4 talk, Catholic Church income has declined in many places and not entirely caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Germany has suffered an huge fall fall of c. 60% and Ireland too is suffering with a large number of younger people turning away from mass going and reductions in income. The world wide "Peter's Pence" collected for the Church over Easter, has also substantially fallen away

The last thing the Church needs now in the light of the above, is publicity about financial scandals, although ongoing publicity is probably already  a factor in its financial losses.

In October 2021, the Catholic Herald reports that   the trials resume of Cardinal Angelo Becciu and nine others, relating to embezzlement  and money laundering of Vatican finances.

As the Catholic Herald reports:

"The pope has staked much of his moral credibility on reforming Vatican finances, and cleaning up its Stygian accounting practices, a role he first gave to the now acquitted Cardinal Pell. In short a great deal hangs on the outcome of this trial."

The Catholic Herald goes on to suggest that Cardinal Pell who was originally put in charge of reforming Church finances should, following his being "entirely cleared"  by the Australian Supreme Court, once more be placed in charge of the financial reforms. 

I disagree; a new  and if necessary  lay, professional expert should be placed in that role asap.