Great bar chart by Jack Harvey in 2A1, showing the changes in Mass Attendance and Religious Belief over 20-30 years.
Looking at the bigger picture, Catholics acknowledge that Mass attendance is down, but:
- Ireland still has one of the highest rates of attendance in Europe
- Religion is still considered very important
- More than 70% of Irish people pray regularly
- The Irish have not forgotten God
RELIGION IS STILL AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR LIVES – IN BIRTH, MARRIAGE AND DEATH
In tragic times such as 9/11, the death of Pope John Paul II, the earthquake in Japan 2011, people gathered together in their thousands to pray.
Also, World Youth Day is very popular. Huge numbers attended along with the Pope in Australia 2008 and Madrid 2011.