A study carried out by the Leuven University Centre for Political Science on behalf of the Belgian Conference of Bishops has revealed a big fall in the number of Belgians attending Mass on a regular basis. According to the study just 7% of us go to Mass every week. This is down from 11% a decade ago. The figures also show that just under 57% of new born children were baptised in Catholic churches in 2006. This is down from 65% in 1998. However, the most dramatic fall was in the number of church weddings. Almost half (49%) of couples opted for a church wedding in 1998. By 2006 this had fallen to just over a quarter (26.5%). The number of church funerals is also down from 76% in 1998 to 61% in 2006.
According to the study just 7% of us go to Mass every week. This is down from 11% a decade ago.
The figures also show that just under 57% of new born children were baptised in Catholic churches in 2006. This is down from 65% in 1998.
However, the most dramatic fall was in the number of church weddings.
Almost half (49%) of couples opted for a church wedding in 1998. By 2006 this had fallen to just over a quarter (26.5%).
The number of church funerals is also down from 76% in 1998 to 61% in 2006.
