The rapid decrease in church attendance : a sociological analysis

Abstract

According to tradition, Saint Paul's shipwreck and the warm-hearted welcome, marks the foundation of the Church in Malta. Tradition also holds that Saint Publius, the then Roman Governor of Malta, following his conversion to Christianity became the first Bishop of Malta. Along the years, Roman Catholicism became the predominant religion in Malta 2. Year: 2013 AD In 2005, the Church in Malta reported that almost half of the population of Malta (47.4%) are not attending Mass on Sunday. Church attendance has fallen by 10.7% between 1995 and 2005 - indicating a rapid decrease of Church attendance. Something along the way has changed. In this research, by means of the discipline of Sociology, I analyze this phenomena through five main variables - Function /s of Religion in contemporary Malta, Degree of belief in the truths propagated by Religion, especially Roman Catholicism, Secularism, Individualism and Community and Cultural and Religious Pluralism. Results indicate that in 2013 AD, individualism, especially amongst the younger generation, dwindling community ties, competition and conflictual social roles and obligations by a number of institutions are leading towards a rapid decrease in Church attendance.