Why do we have a hard time accepting that the poor are more likely to accept  Christianity ( and remain faithful) than the rich, the beautiful , the self satisfied . This thought is nothing if not well documented in the New Testament and verified by history. Ireland was poor but Catholic ; Ireland is rich but not Catholic. As the first world shamefully sheds its beliefs , the faith thrives in Africa. In my hometown , we have several OUTSTANDING African priests ……missionaries , I suppose, to a flagging culture. Mr. George Weigel Africa’s Catholic Moment on this subject is well worth reading.

http://denvercatholicregister.org/opinion/africas-catholic-moment/#.VKxxF2K9KSM