| Mass in Britain is also hit by falling
numbers  By
Elaine Sheridan
LAST week we revealed that just over half of Irish Catholics are attending
Mass on a weekly basis.
That is compared to 90 per cent in 1977 the year of the Pope’s
visit to Ireland.
But what about the Irish community in Britain?
Speaking with a number of organisations it is clear that the trend is
similar among the Irish in Britain.
There are still a number of people attending Mass every week but it seems
that it’s the older generation of Irish who have done so since arriving
in this country during the 1940s.
Sr Lucy Troy from the Irish Chaplaincy in Camden said she has seen a decline
in attendance.
She said: “There is no doubt that numbers have declined in recent
years.
“I think people are taking an interest in spirituality these days.
People are more interested in fate and a personal relationship with God.
“They don’t necessarily go to church but practice in their
own way.”
The MRBI survey which was revealed on RTÉ programme 30 Bliain Ag
Posadh also revealed that 82 per cent of youngsters are free to make up
their own mind when it comes to religion.
This modern picture of Ireland is echoed across the Irish community in
Britain today.
One of the reasons youngsters go to Mass today is because they attend
Catholic schools and are forced to do so.
Many children only go for occasions such as Holy Communion, Confirmation,
Christenings, weddings or funerals.
Sr Lucy said: “I think if parents are practicing and going to Mass
then most youngsters will follow until they get to certain age.
“I think a lot of the teenagers rebel and in the end make up their
own minds.” |
