Your gift counts double until 5/31: $29,040 to go in our Easter Campaign. Please help now!

Catholic World News News Feature

Irish Mass attendance below 50% June 01, 2006

Not quite half of Ireland's adults attend Mass each week, according to a survey conducted by the state's RTE broadcast network.

The survey found that 13% of Irish people attend daily Mass, and another 35% go to Mass every Sunday. The total of 48% attending Mass at least weekly represents a sharp drop from 1990, when a survey put the figure at 81%. However, RTE reported that a steady decline in Mass attendance over the past 15 years appears to have leveled off.

The survey showed that 60% of respondents identified themselves are "religious," while only 3% said they were "convinced atheists." A majority of 58% opposed removing Christian symbols from public buildings, while 19% supported that idea.

Catholic World News Email Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

Learning from the sick, and from the death of a child May 17
The case for change in Irish abortion law: based on a framework of falsehood May 17
The Smell of the Sheep May 16
Too many missing funds: Catholic institutions need tighter financial controls May 16
What capitalists should learn from the Pope's critique May 16

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8