Pope Francis’ effect in England and Wales

The Sunday about evangelisation, the so-called “Home mission Sunday” due to be celebrated in the English parishes on September 15th, is drawing nearer, and the Church of England and Wales have reasons for celebrating.

A survey conducted on 22 cathedrals in England and Wales, has given hope to the country. Because of Benedict XVI’s visit in September 2010 and Pope Francis’ coming, the number of Catholics who have gone back to Confession and Mass, has increased.

The findings of which are just being presented to the British press by the bishop in charge of evangelisation, Kieran Conry.

It is said that the number of confessions has risen by 65%. The answers to the survey, which have come from 91% of contacted Cathedrals, have also shown new interest in the Catholic Church and a rise in the number of people who go to Church.

The number of people at Mass is also increasing, both during weekdays and on Sundays. Interestingly, there’s been a comeback to Confession by those Catholics that had taken their distances from the Church and by young people, many of whom ask for help as they cannot remember the prayers that must be told. “An important goal of evangelisation in England and Wales is the ministry to the about 4 million Catholics who have slipped off the Church”, bishop Kieran Conry said at the press conference. “The concern and anxiety felt by the families of those who no longer go to Church are deeply felt”.

Some of the initiatives taken to get such Catholics back, presented at the press conference, include a new nationwide group, a tour in the dioceses, and a number of films about the story of people who have gone back to Church. A project has also been launched to explore the way parents who send their children to Catholic schools – who are widespread and famous in England – may be encouraged to get engaged in parish life, plus a pilot project in the diocese of Nottingham, which will use new, just-developed resources. The evangelisation department of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales is also designing a number of resources, which will be developed by Lent 2014, to help those who go back to the Sacrament of Confession but are not sure how to handle it. An unease that has been shown by the survey of the 22 cathedrals.

Source: Agensir.eu

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