(ZENIT News / Rome, 11.12.2024).- As Italy readies for its first Synodal Assembly, a major study by Censis, commissioned by the Italian Episcopal Conference, has cast a revealing light on the current state of Catholic faith across the nation. While 71.1% of Italians identify as Catholic, religious practice is evolving in ways that challenge the Church’s traditional approach, as many Italians increasingly see faith as a personal journey rather than a communal commitment. This finding, set against Italy’s enduring Catholic roots, calls for a renewed approach as the Church faces waning engagement and seeks to address its relevance in modern life.
Among those identifying as Catholic, a mere 15.3% describe themselves as regular churchgoers, and the largest share, 34.9%, attend services only occasionally, while 20.9% see themselves as “non-practicing.” The trend of “internalized faith” is reshaping how Italians relate to the Church, as more than half (56.1%) who step away from regular practice state they live out their faith privately.
Young Italians are particularly emblematic of this shift. Among Italians aged 18 to 34, only 58.3% consider themselves Catholic, and a scant 10.9% of them attend services regularly. This generational drift from the pews reflects a broader individualization of faith that sidesteps the structured practices of the Church.
When asked why they felt disconnected, 4 in 10 Italians report they do not identify with the Church today, citing it as “too outdated” (45.1%) and lacking a “clear direction” (27.8%). Many Italians, particularly women, also see the institution as overly patriarchal; 46.5% of women consider it male-dominated, with even practicing Catholics divided on the issue.
This perceived cultural lag isn’t just seen as an internal problem but one with implications for society, according to Censis President Giuseppe De Rita. “The Church must rekindle its ability to inspire society ‘beyond’ the self,” he stated. “A Church that offers only horizontal integration won’t reach a population steeped in individualism; it must guide them toward a vision that transcends self-interest.” As traditional attendance shrinks, 60.8% of practicing Catholics believe that the Church must adapt to these shifting dynamics if it hopes to keep its place in Italian culture.
The impact of scandals, particularly related to abuse, has added to the credibility crisis. This remains a troubling point, with nearly 7 in 10 Italians, including 60% of practicing Catholics, stating that abuse within the Church has damaged its image.
This shift is not without a degree of nostalgia. Nearly 44% of practicing Catholics lament the loss of the “rituals of old,” and symbols like the cross retain cultural significance, with 34.5% expressing respect for such symbols. Among the population, 41% maintain a special devotion to the Virgin Mary—a figure still revered by more than a third of non-believers.
Despite this, spiritual connection persists in a uniquely Italian way, transcending traditional practices. About 66% of Italians, including 11.5% of non-believers, say they “pray” or address God or a higher power in some form, primarily during intense personal moments like fear (33.5%) or heightened emotions (39.4%), with only 8.8% choosing to do so within a liturgical context.
Life after death is a subject of belief for 58% of Italians, with 87.7% among regular churchgoers. And 61.7% believe in a form of judgment in the afterlife, viewing their actions in this life as spiritually consequential.
Now, as Italy’s Church leadership gathers 1,000 delegates from dioceses across the country for the Synodal Assembly, they confront this evolving relationship Italians have with their faith. The Assembly presents an opportunity to acknowledge these individual journeys while seeking ways to create a Church environment that meets the needs of a changing flock.
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