Although Catholicism remains central and widespread in the Philippines, the religious landscape is diversifying, with a noticeable growth and development of evangelical churches, writes Jérémy Ianni in Ad Extra (September 26), the French Catholic website of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, dedicated to reflections and dialogue about missionary work. While Catholicism, a legacy of Spanish colonization, still greatly shapes Filipino society, its dominance is slowly eroding. Over the past two decades, the proportion of Catholics has declined from 82.3 percent in 2000 to 78.6 percent in 2020, while evangelical groups have doubled their share from 4.1 percent to 8.2 percent. These changes have led Catholics to attempt understanding the roots of this (still limited) decline in church adherence. Scandals involving corruption and abuse within the Catholic Church, and harsh criticisms from political figures like former President Rodrigo Duterte, are said to have played a role. The Catholic Church is also seen as rigid and slow to modernize, leading some to perceive it as out of touch with everyday realities. The strict codification of Catholic worship is contrasted with the less formal and more emotional experience of new evangelical groups.
Not all evangelicals are growing at the same pace; in fact, the most vibrant segment is reported to be those going by the name “born again” a more flexible movement than the organized and hierarchical Baptist or Pentecostal megachurches. Often more vibrant and festive than the other groups, they attract especially younger generations. The born again groups emphasize small congregations, often a lay leadership, with no special training requirements for leaders, and they offer contemporary worship, accommodating also those people who would not feel comfortable in classical church environments. Their missionary approach also contributes to their success. “Whereas the Catholic Church is structured around parish life, the born again leave it behind, organizing worship services in parks, visiting prisons, and distributing meals and basic necessities in poor neighborhoods.” Of course, the Catholic Church is far from collapsing. “Processions, festivals, and sacraments continue to punctuate the lives of millions of people.“ But a religious restructuring seems to be underway.
(Ad Extra, https://adextra-mission.com/des-bancs-de-leglise-aux-guitares-electriques-enquete-sur-les-philippins-qui-quittent-le-catholicisme-pour-devenir-born-again/)
