Oct. 8 /Christian Newswire- In a front-page story in its October 4-10 edition (“Where Are The Children? World Is ‘Running Out of People,’ Documentary Warns”), The National Catholic Register gives a high-profile coverage to “Demographic Winter” and its sequel, “Demographic Bomb.”

The article begins: “In Europe, town squares are shown emptying of people. In China, children vanish from playground swings. In America, acres of new homes go unsold. These are some of the compelling images from the 2008 documentary ‘Demographic Winter’ and its sequel of this spring, ‘Demographic Bomb,’ signaling the decline in the world’s population.”

NCR notes the worldwide impact of rapidly falling birthrates (down more than 50% since 1979):

“Russia ... could lose a third of its population within 40 years. And Moscow is now concerned enough to offer $9,000 to mothers for each child after the first.” “Likewise, Portugal’s government is considering charging higher pension payments to those who have fewer than two children. Japan, which has the world’s lowest birth rate outside Europe, has a whole ministry devoted to reversing its decline.” “As for the United States, its population continues to grow only because of immigration or the higher fertility of recent immigrants from Mexico. Native American fertility rates have been falling for decades and according to the film, the impact has already been felt economically.”

The article calls an interview with economist Harry Dent one of the most telling in “Demographic Winter.” Dent predicted the current recession and collapse of the U.S. real estate market, when the Baby Boom generation passed its peak spending years. The Register notes: “Falling populations mean less consumption, a shrinking economy and a shrinking tax base.”

But the article observes that this demographic reality hasn’t taken the steam out of the international population control movement, reporting: “A British group that wants the United Kingdom’s population cut by two-thirds is recommending family planning as the best way to reduce global warming.”

Barry McLerran, producer of “Demographic Winter” and “Demographic Bomb,” say he’s gratified by the coverage. “Along with Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Register is one of the most prominent and oft-quoted Catholic periodicals in America. The Register has a special appeal for Catholic opinion-makers. Its recognition of our documentaries will help to raise public awareness about a crisis which can’t be ignored.”

McLerran said that while the films have a largely secular focus — and include interviews with demographers, economists, sociologists and other social scientists — they have generated significant Catholic support, including from groups like Human Life International, Priests for Life and Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute. The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) is considering broad-casting “Demographic Winter” later this year or early in 2010.