Chai Brady
Photo: CNS Church-goers were faster than any other sector to return when restrictions were lifted according to the latest Government research, a revelation which has been dubbed “a hopeful sign” by people in frontline ministry.
Dr Pete Lunn, head of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Behavioural Research Unit, told The Irish Catholic that in general people returned to activities slowly at each stage of reopening, but church attendance was an outlier.
“For people returning to eating outdoors, gyms and hospitality venues and so on, we saw that change steadily week on week,” Dr Lunn said.
“But when the restrictions were lifted to allow church services again there was a step jump in the data. The people who would normally go to Mass – and then obviously were not allowed to go – as soon as they were allowed go to Mass they went back pretty quickly.”
He said that when churches reopened in May, along with some other indoor venues as part of the Republic’s reopening plans, attendance at indoor locations jumped from 5.5% of the population to 13.7%.
“This is very different from the other curves that we are generating of people’s behaviour,” Dr Lunn said, “When we looked at that, what we discovered was the large majority of that was accounted for by people going back to church, it wasn’t the libraries, the museums, the galleries. It’s not a huge proportion of the population but what made it different was that it happened suddenly in one go.”
The Director of Youth Ministry for the Redemptorists in Ireland, Dermot Kelly, described the enthusiastic return as “definitely a sign of hope”.
“As humans, as people of God in these times we seek and gravitate towards community and communion with Christ and one another…When something is taken away, our heart grows fonder.”
He added that for those that have been working behind the scenes doing “sterling work to keep churches safe” during the pandemic, “it’s a sign more than ever that our churches are a safe place and all are welcome”.
Máire McAteer, who is part of the leadership team of Youth 2000 said the need for worship is “written into out being” and that “you don’t realise how much public worship or worshipping together is part of your life until it is taken away”.
The quick return, she said, reflects “a realisation that coming together in public worship has been done for centuries and is God-ordained, it’s something that we’re called to do. It also reflects the great trust in church settings, I think people feel safe in the church and they knew all precautions are being taken and Church leaders are taking the pandemic very seriously.”
Donegal-based theologian Fr Niall Coll said it was clear that there are people “who were very determined to come back have returned consistently”.
“There was a big feeling of injustice among people that churches were forced to close, because parishioners were very aware of the extent to which their particular parish had gone to ensure the highest standard of Covid-19 protection and I think there was a great awareness that the Government seemed to be totally unaware – or didn’t seem to respect – or value the importance of the spiritual in people’s lives.
“It’s not surprising that a lot of people came back quickly because a lot of people were frustrated and sad and couldn’t see the rationale when they saw that shops were opened and things like that.”
He added: “I think the pandemic has led to some people having a clearer understanding of the importance of faith, that it is an absolute priority for them and they can’t be so passive about it and they have to show more agency.”
For Bosco McShane, school retreat co-ordinator of Síolta Retreats based in Co. Tyrone, people were “eager to get back to the sacraments…nothing beats being there in person”.
“There’s still going to be work to be done to get people back again, even though many people did return. Some of the older people are still frightened of the pandemic.
“It’s definitely a good starting point – you’re always going to have the faithful who are looking for the sacraments, they are a must, we need them. It’s easier to live without the sun than it is to live without Mass,” he said paraphrasing Padre Pio.
The Director of Youth Ministry for the Redemptorists in Ireland, Dermot Kelly, described the enthusiastic return as “definitely a sign of hope”.
“As humans, as people of God in these times we seek and gravitate towards community and communion with Christ and one another…When something is taken away, our heart grows fonder.”
He added that for those that have been working behind the scenes doing “sterling work to keep churches safe” during the pandemic, “it’s a sign more than ever that our churches are a safe place and all are welcome”.
Máire McAteer, who is part of the leadership team of Youth 2000 said the need for worship is “written into our being” and that “you don’t realise how much public worship or worshipping together is part of your life until it is taken away”.
The quick return, she said, reflects “a realisation that coming together in public worship has been done for centuries and is God-ordained, it’s something that we’re called to do. It also reflects the great trust in church settings, I think people feel safe in the church and they knew all precautions are being taken and Church leaders are taking the pandemic very seriously.”
Donegal-based theologian Fr Niall Coll said it was clear that there are people “who were very determined to come back and have returned consistently”.
“There was a big feeling of injustice among people that churches were forced to close, because parishioners were very aware of the extent to which their particular parish had gone to ensure the highest standard of Covid-19 protection and I think there was a great awareness that the Government seemed to be totally unaware – or didn’t seem to respect – or value the importance of the spiritual in people’s lives.
“It’s not surprising that a lot of people came back quickly because a lot of people were frustrated and sad and couldn’t see the rationale when they saw that shops were opened and things like that.”
He added: “I think the pandemic has led to some people having a clearer understanding of the importance of faith, that it is an absolute priority for them and they can’t be so passive about it and they have to show more agency.”
For Bosco McShane, school retreat co-ordinator of Síolta Retreats based in Co. Tyrone, people were “eager to get back to the sacraments…nothing beats being there in person”.
“There’s still going to be work to be done to get people back again, even though many people did return. Some of the older people are still frightened of the pandemic.
“It’s definitely a good starting point – you’re always going to have the faithful who are looking for the sacraments, they are a must, we need them. It’s easier to live without the sun than it is to live without Mass,” he said paraphrasing Padre Pio.