New data from Amárach Market Research has shown that 63% of unmarried Roman Catholics in Ireland under the age of 35 want to get married in a Catholic Church. Their primary reasoning is religious belief, followed by tradition and cultural significance.
Accord Director Tony Shanahan reacted to the data over St Valentine’s weekend, highlighting that it indicates “an appreciation of the sacrament of marriage in the young generation.” The study backed up this claim, as it also found that faith is rising among Gen Z specifically. 69% of adults aged 18-24 identified as Roman Catholic; with only 53% identifying as Roman Catholic in the 25-34 age bracket.
Mr Shanahan also took the opportunity to remind people of the option for convalidation ceremonies, which only 23% of Catholics were aware of, according to the Amárach data.
“Catholics who are married civilly can choose to make their marriage a lifelong covenant in a sacramental ceremony at any future date without time limit,” the Accord director explained. Accord’s Marriage Preparation Programme can serve the needs of couples interested in convalidation.
