40% attend Sunday Mass regularly
Around 92 per cent of Maltese are Roman Catholic, of whom 74 per cent claim to go to Mass at least once a month, with 40 per cent attending Mass every Sunday, a study commissioned by the Archdiocese of Malta has found.
This was confirmed by the census held between 2 and 3 December last year, which showed that Mass attendance was at 38 per cent.
According to the study, 6.5 per cent of the population does not adhere to any religion, while 1.5 per cent of the population follows different religions including Islam and Judaism.
Administrative Secretary Michael Pace Ross told The Malta Independent that while the figure was down from the 50 per cent weekly attendance recorded in the 2005 census, it was important to compare the figure with other Catholic nations around Europe, like Italy.
This drop, he said, was to be expected and stressed that the Archdiocese was seeking a realistic and accurate portrait of Maltese society.
This research was carried out for the first time using different methods (a census as well as research) for the Church to have a wide and accurate picture of society in order to be more pastorally effective in the coming years.
The census on Sunday Mass attendance was carried out by Discern (the Church institute for research) by means of a form that was filled in by each member of the congregation present for Mass.
The census was carried out in 987 Masses held in 329 churches, chapels and other places of worship in Malta every Saturday and Sunday. The attendance was around 122,000, that is 38 per cent, which translates into an average of 123 people for every Mass.
The census does not include attendance of those baptised who are less than seven years of age and those who cannot go to church due to illness or hospitalisation.
Research via telephone was carried out by Misco International after the census, that is between 4 and 8 December last year, using a sample of one thousand participants.
Pace Ross explained that the aim of this research, which was initiated by the Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, reflected the Church’s readiness to listen to everyone, including those who do not go to Mass.
Among those who do not attend Mass, some said that they did not agree with the teachings of the Church; while others said that they could find the time for Mass.
With regard to those who professed to be Catholic, 75 per cent said that they prayed every day, 17 per cent prayed regularly and eight per cent did not pray.
The final result of this research will be analysed by a pastoral committee, with the help of experts, that will be established by the Archbishop. This committee, together with the parish priests of 70 parishes in Malta, will recommend the necessary changes in the light of the pastoral plan that is being prepared while acknowledging the opportunities that exist for the Church to proclaim the Good News. The ultimate objective is for the Church to reach more people on the fringes of society and to continue being of service to people in their daily lives.
The full census will be published by the end of the year and does not include Gozo.