Catholic nuns in the United States are quickly becoming an extinct species, as only 1% of nuns in the country are under the age of 40. Even more concerning is that the average age of an American nun is a whopping 80 years old.
Why Are Nuns Decreasing in the United States?
None of this should really come as much of a surprise, at least not to the younger generations of this country. Religious affiliation and participation continues to dwindle in the United States, as the number of Americans who identify as Christian has dropped 12% over the past decade. And going back to 2020, church membership fell below the majority for the first time; only 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue, or mosque, down from 70% in 1999.
In the case of Catholicism, one could perhaps point to the never-ending and sickening scandals that have perhaps damaged the Church for good. Frankly, it’s the least of what Catholicism in general deserves for what it did to cover up the numerous abuse scandals of its priests over the years.
Beyond that, though, the attitudes towards church among younger people are simply evolving. People aren’t looking as much for the structure of a religion anymore, finding that stability and connection with other people in different ways.
This trickles down to the structure of Catholicism itself. If nobody is interested in even going to church, you’re going to have a hell of a time getting people to devote themselves to it and completely alter their life for it.
The Impending Extinction of American Nuns
As of last year, there were only 42,000 nuns in the U.S., down 76% over the past 50 years. Some more dire estimates project only 1,000 nuns by 2042, and while there are of course young people still becoming Catholic sisters, it’s hard to see how any of this could possibly turn around in a more positive direction for the Church.
Now, on the flip side of all this, one could very well make the argument that nuns do a lot of good in their communities, helping those in need, teaching children, and even providing healthcare. Given these trends, though, while there might always be a need for nuns, their role and influence in American society might be forever changed at this point.
