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In an article on the state of the church in Christchurch, New Zealand, Anna Turner says the number of Christians in Christchurch is dropping, while those identifying as non-religious is steadily on the rise.
According to the last census, many Christchurch Christians were older, with 20.6 per cent being over 65.
Those who were non-religious in Christchurch seemed to be younger – 23.9 per cent were under 15 and only 4.2 per cent over 65.
However, she quotes Father John Adams of the St Joseph’s Catholic Parish as saying the number of Catholics in the city had not dropped.
“The Roman Catholic population in New Zealand has stayed constant for the last 100 years. We are not diminishing.”
Adams also said it was not just about numbers. He believed the number of Christians in the city was not as important as the strength of their belief.
“I think a small but ardent group of Christians is more effective than a larger group of less passionate Christians.”
Adams also believed the earthquakes might have driven more people back to church: “In times of uncertainty, people are drawn to faith.”
Source
- The Press
- Image: 3bp.blogspot.com
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