Is the Church dying in Europe?

Take for instance Barcelona, Spain, a nation steeped in religious tradition, tracing back through centuries.

As one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, Barcelona's skyline is adorned with the timeless beauty of ancient churches, each a testament to the creativity and devotion of past generations .

These churches stand as living monuments to history, reflecting a time when Catholicism reigned as the state religion. 

Even today, amidst the passage of time, over two-thirds of the population still identify as Catholics. However, the practice of the faith tells a different tale altogether.

“The faith of the people in spain has really gone down, we have very few people coming to churches. Most of the churches are closing, being turned into garages, restaurants, which is a pity because there are many churches with mileage,” Onesmus Muthoka, Carmelite Priest, Barcelona says. 

Father Onesmus Muthoka is a Kenyan priest who lived in Catalonia, Spain for 11 years through his formation starting in the early 90s. 

He then moved to Washington DC in the US for specialisation before spending some 17 years at Nkoroi Parish, Ngong Diocese in Kenya. 

He returned to Catalonia last December, finding himself back in his formative parish of Santa Joacquima. However, upon his return, he encountered a changed church.

“I find it difficult to work here but at the same time, I am needed to help in the church,” Father Muthoka said. 

At the Sunday mass we attended, there were 24 adults at the 12.00 o’clock session, accompanied by just four children from one family. The mass lasted 40 minutes. 

In Kenya, the order of mass is more elaborate, featuring choir interludes, physical offertory and general participation by the congregation. However, in this particular church, the choir consists of only one individual who serves as both the soloist and the organist.

Here, there is no offertory, or sadaka as it’s known in Kenya, but there is a reason behind it..

“We don’t have a basket going round. It paints a bad picture here, they don’t like to hear, the church doesn’t want to appear like begging the people,” Father Muthoka says. 

 “Offertory needs to be from the heart…they do it in the account or on depositing.”

Fr. Muthoka’s parish is also a formation house and has bills to pay. The congregation does not sustain the needs of the centre.

And so, what led to the decline of this once thriving church, that was once bustling with a vibrant community that required ample space to accommodate its needs?

For over thirty years to the mid 70s, Spain was under the rule of a dictator, General Francisco Franco. 

Catholicism was the state religion and all other religions were prohibited. The government controlled much of all social sectors imposing rules on civil rights.

With the passing of the dictator, a new era dawned, giving rise to the ideals of liberalism and secularism.

Presently, 70 percent of Spain's population still identifies as Catholic, with many continuing the tradition of baptising their newborn children.

However, the follow-up to confirmation often remains incomplete. Statistics reveal that only a third of them actively practice their faith. 

This shift marks a significant departure from the era when Spain dispatched missionaries to establish churches across Africa and South America. 

Now, the Church finds itself in a position of need.

The churches that once housed the faithful have now changed user…some remain but as historical facts.  

“Most of the churches that have left empty have become garages and very classic restaurants…more so in Spain,” he says. 

For now, Fr. Muthoka and his fellow Carmelites who reside at this parish continue with the work of formation, serving the needs of emerging groupings including the new catechumens who appear to prefer a different way of practicing their faith.

“New catechumens..big number like 3k, they celebrate mass on Saturdays..that keeps us busy. We have to be there to serve them,” Father Muthoka adds. 

“With the teachings of sabbath, Saturday evening is better than Sunday morning.”

I asked Fr. Muthoka if there are lessons the church in Kenya can pick from Europe.

“Lessons for Kenya….lesson number one is that church has to stay clean out of p[olitics. Church members have a right to vote, but the church should never mix with politics…they should never dine with the politicians,  once you do, you cannot draw the line,” he adds. 

At the cathedral of Barcelona, it was business as usual. Thousands walk through the gates of the monumental church every week to see. 

Inside, a prayer chapel awaits those seeking solace in prayer. On Sundays, worshippers are welcome to partake in the sacred rituals.