German church official downplays figures showing fall in Catholics

Published: 2003-11-14

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- A German church spokeswoman has downplayed figures showing a continued fall in clergy and lay Catholics. "Church membership has indeed gone down in recent years, but this is a feature in most rich countries," said Stefanie Uphues, spokeswoman for the bishops' conference in Bonn, Germany. "Although it's a mistaken simplification to say smaller means better, this momentary situation also presents certain chances. Whereas people used to join the church at birth, they now have to decide for themselves," she said in a telephone interview. Latest church data showed a decrease of 200,000 in declared Catholics between 2001 and 2002, accompanied by a sharp drop in the number of priests and nuns.

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