Church Attendance Rises While Christian Identification Declines in England and Wales
Recent data from the United Kingdom reveals a complex trend: while church attendance has seen a recent increase, the number of people identifying as Christian in England and Wales has decreased. This shift presents a unique perspective on the evolving religious landscape.
Decline in Christian Identification
According to the latest Census, for the first time, fewer than half of the population in England and Wales identify as Christian. In 2021, 27.5 million people, or 46.2% of the population, identified as Christian. This represents a significant drop of 13.1 percentage points from 2011, when 59.3% (33.3 million people) identified as Christian. Despite this decline, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) notes that "Christian" remains the most common response to the religion question, with "No religion" coming in second.
Increase in Church Attendance
Contradictory to the decrease in overall Christian identification, data from the Church of England (C of E) suggests a growth in church attendance in recent years. Surveys indicate a four-year consecutive rise in congregations following years of decline. However, attendance figures have not yet returned to pre-Covid-19 pandemic levels. Preliminary data from the C of E’s annual Statistics for Mission indicates approximately 1.02 million regular worshippers in 2024, a 1.2% increase from 2023. Around 701,000 people attend services throughout the week.
Possible Explanations and Implications
The divergence between Christian self-identification and church attendance suggests a change in how people engage with religion. It's possible that individuals are practicing their faith in different ways or that the social stigma associated with religious affiliation is changing. The appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury occurs during this period of transition, raising questions about the future direction of the church and its role in a changing society.
Source: BBC News
