News 15/09/2002

Church attendance back to normal after 11 September shock

By Marika Azzopardi

Just one year ago, as an aftershock reaction to the 11 September disaster, our churches began enjoying a revival in parishioners’ attendance. One year on, this increase in attendance seems to have remained stable in some parishes but has dwindled back to its usual number in others.

Questioned by MaltaToday about this apparent increase, the Archbishop’s Curia was not able to ascertain whether it is real or apparent, since the last census carried out to gauge Sunday mass attendance was held way back in 1995. On 2 and 3 December 1995, it transpired that 211,449 persons had attended mass, 14,390 less than the total gauged 13 years previously.

Recently, eye witnesses have confirmed that in certain parishes, the increase was palpable especially during peak hour mass. In one instance, during a Sunday evening mass at the Paola parish church, some persons filing to receive Holy Communion could not receive the Host as the usual stock of Holy Bread had all been consumed.

Whilst the final part of Mass was being celebrated, a young priest rushed off to a nearby chapel to retrieve an extra supply of the Host with which to give Holy Communion to the waiting part of the flock.

This evening mass at the Paola church is especially popular amongst families with children, who are encouraged to play an active role in its various stages.

But not all churches have witnessed an increase or otherwise in their church attendance.