The bishops seek answers in the Vatican to empty the churches in the Netherlands

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  Andrea Vrede

  Vatican correspondent

It will be a busy month for the offices of the Curia, the governing body of the Roman Catholic Church, and for Pope Francis himself. During the month of November, the bishops of three Western European countries will go on a working visit to the Vatican.

Today the Dutch bishops begin their week in Rome, followed by the German and finally Belgian bishops. Usually the bishops of a country go to Rome every five years for an overall evaluation. Following the Holy Year 2016 specially inserted by Pope Francis and the crown pandemic, the Dutch bishops had to wait nine years for a new invitation.

Incidentally, they visit the same pope, because Francis was only elected nine months earlier during their previous visit in 2013.

This visit is officially called an ad limina visit. It literally means the threshold for “up to the thresholds”. These are the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul, who, according to tradition, are buried under the basilicas of San Pietro and San Paolo-fuori-le-mura. During their stay in Rome, the bishops will celebrate mass in both tombs. These celebrations are part of the spiritual part of their visit.

But what matters most is a walk along many ministries (called dicasteries in the Vatican) for an extensive report on the state of affairs of the Roman Catholic Church in their country. A sort of performance evaluation on the past, present and above all future. In the many departments of the Curia and, behind closed doors and completely confidential, even with the Pope himself.

Throughout the world, the number of members of the Catholic Church grows by millions every year. The focus of this increase is in Africa and Asia. Not in old Europe, now largely secularized. It report with annex Numbers The fact that the Dutch bishops have sent themselves to Rome in preparation for the visit is not scary.

In many ways it is a repetition of the already deeply pessimistic image of the Dutch church from the previous 2013 report. Sometimes literally, because some passages appear to have been copied in their entirety. According to the new report, 20.8 percent of the Dutch are members of the Catholic Church, but their numbers are steadily declining.

For many people, faith is increasingly becoming a private matter. The church has little or no presence in the public debate. The teaching of the Church is unknown to many people. The church buildings are closed. The bishops are calling for a “new evangelization”, but it is not clear what it exactly means. There seem to be few responses to advancing secularization and individualization in the more business-like Netherlands. According to some commentators, the Dutch bishops can do little more than manage the contraction.

Nine years ago, Pope Francis did his best to encourage the bishops. He invited them to adopt a more positive attitude in society and to participate in the public debate. To find new ways to reach people.

At the end of this week it will be clear what his advice will be this time around.