The UK and France have reported a remarkable increase in young adults interested in attending Church. Recent surveys from France and the UK have revealed a growth in young people’s interest in the Catholic faith.
A recent study by YouGov on behalf of the Bible Society reveals a change in the spiritual landscape of young adults in the UK and Ireland. The study, David Quinn explains writing for The Irish Catholic, shows an increase in the number of young people aged 18-24 who identify as Christian and regularly attend church. “Since 2018, the number of young people aged 18-24 who describe themselves as Christian and attend church regularly has risen from 4%to 16%, a 400% rise in just six years. Something similar is happening about the 25-34-year-olds. The increase here is from 4% to 13%.”
In Ireland, over 80 catechumens are set to be welcomed into the Catholic Church this Easter, in the Archdiocese of Dublin. Additionally, more than 60 lay leaders have been commissioned to serve in the Killala Diocese.
Writing for this paper, David Quinn explains that “the young people coming to the Church will hopefully deepen in their faith as time goes on and see that Christianity is not only a religion of belonging, but also a religion of serving.”
Similarly, a French report released by the French Bishops’ Conference reveals the highest numbers ever recorded since the same survey began over 20 years ago. The report shows a demographic shift — young adults now constitute the largest number of converts. The 18-25 age group, made up of students and young professionals, now represents a 42% of adult catechumens, surpassing the 26-40 demographic that had previously dominated the statistics.
