The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated a disengagement.
By Saskia O’Donoghue
Correspondent
Euro News Culture
In Italy, the cradle of Catholicism, new research suggests that only 19% of citizens attend services at least weekly, while 31% never attend at all – and it’s a trend already growing in some European nations.
They’re called the “nones” and are growing in numbers every day.
It’s a term for those increasingly rejecting organised religion, even in countries in which faith is typically at the core of their very identity.
Scandinavian countries and north west Europe – think France and the United Kingdom – have been well known for their widespread secularism for years.
But now, even in Italy – the long-standing home of Catholicism – things are changing too.
Vatican City – home to the Pope and many of the world’s most influential religious figures – is right in the centre of Rome, the capital.
Unsurprisingly, then, most people retain at least a nominal affiliation to the church, taking part in their many and varied traditions but, increasingly, with little adherence to doctrine or practice.
According to recent findings from the Pew Research Centre survey, 78% of Italians still profess to be of the Catholic faith.
So far, so believable.
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE AT EURONEWS
