Why Are There More Reverts Than Converts?

INTRODUCTION

Recently, I was asked a very interesting question. The question centered on unfolding a simple principle, how do we articulate the “likelihood” of those converting who are non-Catholics? Obviously, we understand that God’s mercy is sovereign and grace can and does convert those who are far from the Church, but we also know that the dispositions of those converted and their cooperation with sufficient grace are significant and must be considered by those invested in evangelism. These considerations take a central role in a Catholic understanding of evangelism.

Further, we also understand the great efficacy of certain external means such as the Church’s prayer for those who are unconverted within her and those outside of her, along with the great importance that the availability of the Church’s teaching has on conversion. Whereas, from a purely natural perspective, many may explain away the greater prevalence of “reverts” over converts as something of a purely social phenomenon, is there something deeper going on from a theological perspective?

QUESTION. How are those outside of the Church who were once in it better disposed to conversion?