Ballarat was the sort of regional Australian town where mothers with Irish surna...
BALLARAT, Australia - Ballarat was the sort of regional Australian town where mothers with Irish surnames prayed their eldest sons would enter the priesthood, and fathers would reach for their soft brim hats whenever Catholic clergy walked by.
“The whole community of church-goers is diminishing dramatically,” said Stephens, who like many of his era was baptised as a child but is not active in the church.Disillusionment with the Catholic church in Ballarat is reflective of a wider national trend, according to researcher IBISWorld, fueled by an inability by traditional Christian groups to attract younger people as well as anger over the spate of sexual abuse cases that have come to light in recent years.
Mass attendances have been in a long-term state of decline, according to Catholic agency Pastoral Research Office, with the drop-off particularly evident in younger people. “That’ll do me - I’m out,” said one Ballarat resident, passing the local cathedral, who declined to give his name.While Christianity is the world’s biggest religion, its historical stronghold in Western Europe has become very secular, according to the Pew Research Center.
He said the cathedral was focused on giving all of its members a voice with equal participation over decision making.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
‘Aretha: A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul’ special helped Clive Davis process Franklin’s deathWith all the adulation legitimately directed toward Aretha Franklin since her death last year at 76, it’s easy to forget that there were low points in her extraordinary career, even though they were far overshadowed by the high points.
Lire la suite »
‘Not just about a few kids’: Nazi salutes and swastikas spark soul searching in O.C.Nearly a week after images from a Nazi-themed party in Orange County sparked outrage, school officials and the community have been working to turn the incident into a learning experience.
Lire la suite »
Analysis | After a week of Twitter spats, the Democratic caucus does some soul searchingAnalysis: After a week of Twitter spats, the Democratic caucus does some soul searching
Lire la suite »