Results of a survey of religious attitudes in South Jersey — and how to address concerns raised by the survey — are likely to be talked about in local parishes and diocesan offices for a long time.
Bishop Joseph A. Galante, writing in the Catholic Star Herald last week, said he hopes the study will “spark discussion” and “give us a better understanding of how to reach inactive Catholics.”
The study is essentially meant to be a tool of the new evangelization — finding new and effective ways to proclaim the Gospel.
The diocese’s efforts to reach out to the unchurched, and to lapsed Catholics, is a local reflection of one of Pope Benedict XVI’s major concerns. Last year the pope created the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.
At the council’s first meeting on June 1, the pope said he hoped members would help outline a plan for the whole church in regards to the urgent task of evangelization, which must include formation, especially for young people.
Young people are a major concern of the local survey, which shows that “their expectations of church are quite different than those of older adults.”
“In addition,” the study states, “they face unique social, economic, technological, and other challenges. While a potentially difficult population to reach and retain, young adults may present a significant opportunity for the Camden Diocese.”
The study, done for the diocese by the Barna Group, a California-based firm known for its work on U.S. religious attitudes, took an extensive look at the beliefs and practices of the six South Jersey counties (Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem) covered by the diocese.
The Barna Group interviewed a representative sampling of adults from South Jersey. They were asked about their prayer lives, their belief or disbelief in God, and their attitudes toward the Catholic Church, among other questions.
Results indicated that four out of every five South Jerseyans identify themselves as Christian, with a third identifying themselves as Catholic, a third Protestant, and the rest not identified with a specific faith tradition.
About 10 percent of those responded said they were atheists or agnostic. Of those who identified as Catholic, about half practice their faith.
Among other findings:
— Among self-identified Catholics and Christians who have not attended church within the past six months, the primary reasons for non-attendance include: not having enough time to attend or get involved in church (38%); having the day off and preferring to spend it doing others things (32%); having to work (either themselves or a family member) on the day of worship (31%); or not having found a church they like despite visiting some churches (30%).
— Four out of every 10 residents are “unchurched” (i.e., have not attended a church worship service other than a special event within the past six months). The proportion of unchurched adults within the diocese is significantly higher than the national average (29%).
“In future months, we intend to present a plan to address our evangelization concerns so well highlighted in this study,” Bishop Galante said.
He also encourged Catholics of the diocese to comment on the study and evangelization concerns. Comments can be sent via email to Peter Feuerherd, diocesan communications director, at Peter.Feuerherd@camdendiocese.org, or directly to Bishop Galante at 631 Market St., Camden, NJ 08102.
Bishop Galante was scheduled to hold a press conference on the study on Thursday, May 3, the day after the Catholic Star Herald is printed.
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Results of the Diocese of Camden Community Study 2012, conducted by the Barna Group, are available on the Camden Diocesan website www.camdendiocese.org
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