Why has Mass attendance declined?

[Cat]

I just finished reading an article that got me thinking.

Why do YOU think Mass attendance in the U.S. has declined?

The article blamed “dumbed-down liturgy” and the departure from traditional Mass.

I think that’s probably part of the reason. I think it has more to do with the sad state of the family. When families fall apart, Mass attendance declines, IMO. Many factors have contributed to the decay in families, including the economy that makes it difficult to have a family without two incomes or one big income, racism that has left people out of the success loop, the lack of morality and protrayal of sin as “good” in entertainment and other media, and above all else, legal abortion which has made it possible for men and women to have sex and conceive children outside of marriage and then just throw the “products of conception” down the drain.

So what does everyone think the reasons are for falling Mass attendance?

 

[paramedicgirl]

Oh, I’d have to go with “dumbed-down liturgy” and the departure from traditional Mass.

 

[water]

I just finished reading an article that got me thinking.

Why do YOU think Mass attendance in the U.S. has declined?

The article blamed “dumbed-down liturgy” and the departure from traditional Mass.

I think that’s probably part of the reason. I think it has more to do with the sad state of the family. When families fall apart, Mass attendance declines, IMO. Many factors have contributed to the decay in families, including the economy that makes it difficult to have a family without two incomes or one big income, racism that has left people out of the success loop, the lack of morality and protrayal of sin as “good” in entertainment and other media, and above all else, legal abortion which has made it possible for men and women to have sex and conceive children outside of marriage and then just throw the “products of conception” down the drain.

So what does everyone think the reasons are for falling Mass attendance?

Well, if we go back 1000 years or more, people had little things to do at home. Look at where we are now - little trip to the Space for few millions dollars, to Disneyland, to Bahamas…ahhh, to movies…

It is more about the changes in our daily life styles that affect our faith.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

One of the biggest factors has been an the pedophile scandal and refusal to have more transparency afterwards. It appears there is even less transparency than before. This cuts across all issues of all sides and no real efforts have been made to try to regain that credibility. Many also see a scapegoat effort (which can be nasty) to try to deflect any real discussion from this.

Also, many are turned off by the increase in authoritarianism. Emphasizing rules does not help most people grow spiritually. People will walk away from an overly stern letter of the law, even more if they do not really see any meaning behind it.

The overtly-political stances are also turning people off. It has become very shrill lately with most of the people left off to the side not willing to make their voices heard. Any sign that the Church is just the arm of a political party also turns people off.

Attendance is also based on community outreach. In my town, the only church that is still thriving and is the youngest and best talked about has a active Social Justice part to it. The youth are really drawn to it because they can see all the talk and ceremony actually mean something. The other two who do not focus on this are really greying fast and in slow decline.

 

[Jakub]

A exellent article via Adoremus by Bishop Elliot of Australia, " Liturgical Translation, A Question of Truth…

adoremus.org/0607LiturgicalTranslation.html

james

 

[lak611]

I blame the secular culture for the decline in Mass attendance, not the Mass itself. My diocese has an indult TLM at a downtown area parish that is convenient to get to. If it really was the Mass that is the issue, that parish should be packed every Sunday, but it is not. Many people are Catholic in name only. They really do not have any interest in religion and do not behave any different than the celebrities in popular culture. Fornication, divorce, materialism are the false gods of our society. Until the culture changes, Mass attendance will not increase.

 

[water]

I blame the secular culture for the decline in Mass attendance, not the Mass itself.

agreed! If people are bored with the Mass - they actually bore themselves…not the Mass where Jesus is present.

If one is a believer and praticing their faith, then a Catholic Mass is a Catholic Mass - he goes to the Mass no matter what.

 

[VAC]

Does anyone have statistics to support the decline in attendance related to departure from traditionalism? That would be interesting reading.
Remember that In South America, Catholics have left the church in favor of the ‘Charismatic/Pentacostal’ churches. The focus is on one’s personal relationship with God, and the music is much more upbeat. It’s much more entertaining???

In our church, I notice that attendance is very seasonal… in particular CCD school year season= much greater attendance at mass because it is enforced. The most heavily attended masses are First Communion and Confirmation. The place is so packed, it’s standing room only… triple the regular crowd. These crowds are much larger than Holy Week or Easter Sunday.
In summer the crowds are much skimpier.

We are meeting in a local high school cafeteria, and do not have a permanent building yet, so that probably accounts for some of our lack of attendance. We can’t compare ourselves to the Cathedral some of you folks attend.

 

[VAC]

I blame the secular culture for the decline in Mass attendance, not the Mass itself.

I agree with this

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

When I was a kid, I was taught that missing Mass on a Sunday was a mortal sin. I’m not sure people are told that anymore (and I’m not sure they should be). At that time people may have attended out of fear as much as anything.

I was Googling around trying to find statistics about church attendance but I wasn’t successful. Is it only Catholics who are attending less often? My impression is that Protestants don’t go to church every week either but I could be wrong.

If church attendance among Protestants is also down, then I don’t think you can chalk it up to changes in the Catholic liturgy over the past 40 years.

On the other hand, I think society as a whole has changed. I remember hearing ads on TV many years ago that said “attend your church or synagogue this week.” That kind of thing would never get on TV today.

I don’t think Sunday is much of a special day for people anymore. Perhaps because people are so busy with work during the week, the weekends are times for catching up, doing chores, running errands, going shopping, etc. And I don’t think people see much of a difference between doing those things on Saturday and doing them on Sunday. That doesn’t leave much time for God.

 

[lak611]

When I was a kid, I was taught that missing Mass on a Sunday was a mortal sin. I’m not sure people are told that anymore (and I’m not sure they should be). At that time people may have attended out of fear as much as anything.

Well, the kids today are not going to hear that missing Mass is a mortal sin if their parents do not even bother to attend Mass (and therefore, take the kids).

I was Googling around trying to find statistics about church attendance but I wasn’t successful. Is it only Catholics who are attending less often? My impression is that Protestants don’t go to church every week either but I could be wrong.

If church attendance among Protestants is also down, then I don’t think you can chalk it up to changes in the Catholic liturgy over the past 40 years.

I would not be surprised if Protestants are going to services less often too. I do not have any statistics on church attendance by Protestants, but I do know that surveys have been done which show that fewer people are reading the Bible. Since most Protestant churches have Sunday school for all ages which is usually a Bible study, if people are not reading the Bible as often, they are probably not going to church as often either.

On the other hand, I think society as a whole has changed. I remember hearing ads on TV many years ago that said “attend your church or synagogue this week.” That kind of thing would never get on TV today.

I don’t think Sunday is much of a special day for people anymore. Perhaps because people are so busy with work during the week, the weekends are times for catching up, doing chores, running errands, going shopping, etc. And I don’t think people see much of a difference between doing those things on Saturday and doing them on Sunday. That doesn’t leave much time for God.

That is true. I can remember when I was a little kid and it was a big shock that stores were going to be open on Sunday. Now it is hard to find a store that is closed on Sunday. The “blue laws” which formerly restricted business on Sundays (stores, liquor sales, etc.) were originally put in place by Protestants. Obviously, the Protestant culture has changed too, since these businesses are thriving on Sundays. A friend of mine works in a store. He said that Sunday is their busiest day.

 

[Cat]

SucipeMeDomine, you are correct. Attendance is declining in many non-Catholic ecclesial communities (AKA Protestant churches).

In many cities, Protestants have abandoned smaller churches and “family” churches (those that generations of their family attend) in favor of “megachurches.” This has happened in our city; one church used to have three services on Sunday morning, filling a 5000 feet sanctuary at each service. Now they are down to one service. Where did all the people go? Many went to the new megachurch.

I’ve heard some statistics that talk about the membership in ecclesial communities has remained static for decades. A church should grow via new converts, not via transfer of members from one church to another. Yet, new converts are rare in most churches.

 

[Titus]

One of the biggest factors has been an the pedophile scandal and refusal to have more transparency afterwards. It appears there is even less transparency than before. This cuts across all issues of all sides and no real efforts have been made to try to regain that credibility. Many also see a scapegoat effort (which can be nasty) to try to deflect any real discussion from this.

**This is a very common complaint. And I agree with it, to an extent. But this is God’s Church, and despite its failings, people need to know that the men who run it aren’t really in charge- God is. While they may have made errors of navigation, they are in the right boat. The Barque of Peter. It makes no sense to jump into the shark-infested water. **

Also, many are turned off by the increase in authoritarianism. Emphasizing rules does not help most people grow spiritually. People will walk away from an overly stern letter of the law, even more if they do not really see any meaning behind it.

**Examples here? The Church has clear teachings. Yet to my mind the last 40 years have seen a severe dumbing down by bishops, if not by the Holy See, of the Church’s teachings. Thanks in no small part to really dire seminaries in the 60s & 70s. **

The overtly-political stances are also turning people off. It has become very shrill lately with most of the people left off to the side not willing to make their voices heard. Any sign that the Church is just the arm of a political party also turns people off.

**We’re talking about abortion. That’s not politics. That’s an article of our faith. Don’t pretend. The Church isn’t a branch of the GOP, the American system means that because Catholics have a moral obligation to vote pro-life, they end up voting Republican. It is such a huge issue that it overrides your other concerns. **

Attendance is also based on community outreach. In my town, the only church that is still thriving and is the youngest and best talked about has a active Social Justice part to it. The youth are really drawn to it because they can see all the talk and ceremony actually mean something. The other two who do not focus on this are really greying fast and in slow decline.
**I disagree with that, and there are a variety of examples. The fastest growing seminary in America, I believe, is that of the Diocese of Lincoln, NE. See also the FSSP seminary which is growing. Not social justice alone (though that is a very important part of Christianity, *witness Mother Teresa). ***But also strong morals and traditional liturgy.

 

[Cat]

I, too, agree that society has changed.

But shouldn’t those of us who attend Mass be changing society through living a life that witnesses of Jesus and thus drawing non-believers to Him?

Or is that just a really nice dream?

 

[water]

I, too, agree that society has changed.

But shouldn’t those of us who attend Mass be changing society through living a life that witnesses of Jesus and thus drawing non-believers to Him?

Or is that just a really nice dream?

Changing society or drawing non-believers take lots of factors. Explaining and living a good Christ-Like example are what one should do; however, for those who don’t want to follow such examples - it is part of their will too - while some do not want to know God, others are willing to learn about Him.

So, it is not just a nice dream. My great great grandparents did not know God, but my great grandparents did.

 

[SMHW]

In our church, I notice that attendance is very seasonal… in particular CCD school year season= much greater attendance at mass because it is enforced. The most heavily attended masses are First Communion and Confirmation. The place is so packed, it’s standing room only… triple the regular crowd. These crowds are much larger than Holy Week or Easter Sunday.
In summer the crowds are much skimpier.

First of all, it’s my understandting that there have long been differences in the numbers of people attending Mass if one compares different societies around the earth. Perhaps someone will correct me if I’m wrong but I think Mass attendance began dropping in Europe much earlier than it did in North America. And I think that Hispanic and Portuguese countries in North America have long had different Mass attendance patterns than the United States and Canada. I don’t know enough about Asia, Australia, and Africa to know if more or less Catholics attend Mass now than previously.

Even within the United States is concerned, I think that some cultures have tended to put a greater emphasis on Mass attendance than others. And I suspect it is because those cultures with higher attendance have a greater cultural emphasis on following rules in general. For example, Germans tend to place a greater emphasis on conforming to the law (Mass attendance) than Italians. (On the other hand, Italians tend to place higher values on family relationships than German’s do.)

The reason I quoted the post I did was because I think one of the biggest reasons people, do or do not attend Mass is because of how closely the family as a whole feels tied to the parish. The more involved the children are, the more likely the entire family is to attend Mass. If the children attend neighborhood parish schools or religious education classes, are altar servers, sing in the children’s choir, etc. the parents are more likely to attend Mass. If school is in session, the connection feels stronger.

It’s my understanding that Catholic School attendance in the United States was the norm for Catholic children (at least those living in cities) in the 1940s and 1950s. The school and parish were also likely to be within walking distance of the families that attended. It was still quite common in the 1960s but I believe it was starting to drop off around then. For various reasons, the cost of Catholic school education rose to the point where by the 1970s, many middle class families began to view Catholic schooling as a luxury rather than as a necessity.

My former pastor was once invited to give an invocation during the opening day ceremonies for AYSO. He made a comment to the effect that he was seeing one of the largest gatherings of his parishioners that he had ever seen in one place. At least for a while, soccer was a family event in my city. It was common for families to spend the entire day at the soccer field because the various children had games throughout the day. Other family members were serving as coaches, referees, snackbar attendants, team parents, etc.

I imagine this scenario plays out in other cities for some sport or another.

In the days of Catholic schools, day to day family life revolved around the school children’s activities. That is not the case for very many families now. (In some cases the majority of students aren’t even Catholic.) If people don’t feel connected to the school/parish during the week, they probably will not feel connected on Sunday.

 

[VociMike]

Here are some figures from the book “Index of Leading Catholic Indicators”. The first column is date, 2nd is percentage of Catholics attending Mass, and 3rd is percentage of Protestants attending their services (all USA figures). The intervals are not of equal time spans because that’s not how the data is presented on the graph.

1953 75% 45%
1960 73% 44%
1966 68% 40%
1969 65% 39%
1973 60% 40%
1976 52% 40%
1979 52% 40%
1980 53% 40%
1981 53% 41%
1982 51% 41%
1983 52% 40%
1986 51% 40%
1988 50% 41%
1991 50% 45%
1995 45% 45%

The key thing to note here is that Protestant attendance was very steady through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, and actually started to rise in the 90s. On the other hand, Catholic attendance dropped by an enormous percentage between the early 60s and the mid 70s, leveled off for about 15 years and then started to drop again.

In the 50s and early 60s, Catholic attendance was almost double the percentage of Protestant attendance. By 1995 Catholic attendance had dropped down to Protestant levels.

This is strong evidence to me that one cannot blame the decline on “the secular culture”, since U.S. Protestants were living in the very same culture as U.S. Catholics, but their attendance hardly dropped at all, and by 1995 was as high as it was in the 50s.

These figures make it clear that something happened in the Catholic world in the 60s and 70s that did not happen in the corresponding Protestant world.

 

[Jakub]

Is it a sin to miss ? From the current Catechism of the Church…

The Sunday obligation
2180 The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass."117 "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day."118 2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation **commit a grave sin. **

james

 

[lak611]

It’s my understanding that Catholic School attendance in the United States was the norm for Catholic children (at least those living in cities) in the 1940s and 1950s. The school and parish were also likely to be within walking distance of the families that attended. It was still quite common in the 1960s but I believe it was starting to drop off around then. For various reasons, the cost of Catholic school education rose to the point where by the 1970s, many middle class families began to view Catholic schooling as a luxury rather than as a necessity.

The main reason that the schools became expensive was the decline in vocations to the religious life. Back then, all of the teachers were nuns (who did not cost a lot for the parish, due to their vow of poverty). When the schools needed to hire teachers, they had to pay a living wage, which although is less than what the public schools pay teachers, is still much more than what needed to be paid to the nuns. That caused tuition to rise dramatically. When my parents went to Catholic school in the 1940’s, there was no tuition at all. My grandparents only needed to pay for the books. Nowadays, $4000/child is what the tuition costs in my parish for children of parishioners. Some families can get vouchers if their income is below a certain level.

 

[Genesis315]

Increased secularization and increased spiritual laziness and material workaholism.