Australian Catholic bishops commission study on Catholics who rarely attend Sunday Mass

Australian Catholic bishops commissioned a study that found many Catholics who rarely attend Sunday Mass maintain a strong connection to their faith. The 176-page report, titled "Absent from the Table: Catholics in Australia Who Do Not Regularly Attend Sunday Mass," was published on October 7, 2026.

The National Centre for Pastoral Research in Canberra conducted the project using an online survey of 1,963 adult Catholics across seven states and territories, followed by in-depth interviews with 67 volunteers. While the authors noted that the findings may not represent all Australian Catholics because participants volunteered, 65% of those surveyed consider faith very important and 64% pray regularly.

The report highlights a gap between belief and attendance. More than three quarters of participants believe Jesus is the Son of God, and 55% affirm the Catholic teaching of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. However, 24% view the Eucharistic elements as symbolic, and 21% expressed uncertainty regarding that doctrine.