I feel compelled to correct a misimpression that may have been created by the editorial "Give St. Patrick's one last chance," Nov. 19, which stated "the Catholic Church in America is losing members faster than any other."
According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University, the most recent data show the Catholic Church in the United States is experiencing a 68 percent retention rate. In other words, 68 percent of those people born and raised in the faith are still part of the faith now as adults.
This same study shows the following retention rates for other mainline Christian denominations: Baptist, 60 percent; Lutheran, 59 percent; Pentecostal, 50 percent; Methodist, 46 percent; Anglican/Episcopal, 45 percent; and Presbyterian, 41 percent.
The highest retention rates belong to the Hindu, 84 percent; Jewish, 76 percent; and Muslim, 76 percent, faiths, which are also cultural expressions.
I believe these facts more accurately reflect the true status of the Catholic Church.
KEN GOLDFARB
Director of Communications
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany