Why do so many Aussie Catholics skip Sunday Mass?

A new report titled "Absent from the Table: Catholics in Australia Who Do Not Regularly Attend Sunday Mass" shows that many Australian Catholics who miss weekly Mass maintain a strong connection to their faith.

The 176-page study, published October 7, found that 65% of participants consider faith very important in their lives and 64% pray regularly. Additionally, 55% of those surveyed affirmed the doctrine of the Real Presence, while 40% reported sharing their faith with others.

Participants suggested several ways to encourage more frequent weekly attendance, such as providing more convenient Mass times, shortening services, and improving liturgical music. The findings highlight a gap between personal belief and regular participation in the Sunday precept.

According to the 2021 census, Catholics make up 20% of the Australian population, a decrease from 26% in 2006. While the Catholic population grew every census year between 1911 and 2011, the trend has reversed since 2016.