Growing interest in religion among young people, says bishop
The Bishop of Cork and Ross, Bishop Fintan Gavin, led the annual Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession in Cork city last summer. File picture: Brian Lougheed
The Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin, says he has noticed a growing interest in religion among young people.
A newly released report commissioned by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, , points to a revival of faith among adults aged 16-29.
Among the key findings is that Mass attendance among young Catholics in Ireland rose from 7% to 17% between 2022 and 2024.
At 17%, Ireland now ranks sixth in Europe for Mass attendance among 16-29‑year‑olds — at least double the rates recorded in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium.
Bishop Gavin told
that the report indicates that people are turning to the Catholic faith to search for a sense of purpose and community in what can be an uncertain modern world.
.“What we are seeing in Cork and Ross is that what is in those recent studies is being replicated in our own experience locally here.
“It does again indicate a desire for searching for belonging and for connecting around faith. I think people are craving community, a sense of meaning and a sense of belonging.
“There is real signs of hope and green shoots."
Bishop Gavin said he is noticing more young people attending Mass and youth events such as the Maranatha held in Cork.
He said the Cork and Ross diocese is using social media to engage with young people.
“We have a very active Instagram page and Facebook page. So we try to capture everything with short videos. I did a blessing for the beginning of the year and it got huge traction," he said.
“We are trying to engage on those digital platforms, as a way of being present on them. It is a way of communicating the message. It is a way of connecting with people.
“It is not a substitute for meeting people, but it is a way of people knowing what is going on and inviting them to different things. We have probably got better at how we do that. You are telling a story and not just showing pictures, you are interviewing people."
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