We tell the Church's story

Covid-19 & Church-21

Catholic Voices was involved in a very successful survey and report during the first lockdown in May-July 2020. Over 2,500 Catholics in England and Wales and Scotland were surveyed, which has given us important insights into how people responded to the arrival of the pandemic.

Find our more about the 2020 ‘Coronavirus, Church & You’ survey and download the report below

As we move towards a post-pandemic future, we would like to hear again from clergy and lay people about their current experiences and, crucially, what they feel about that future. This survey is part of a wider survey designed to be taken by people from Anglican, Catholic, and Free churches in the UK and the ROI.

 
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A new survey is now ready!

Please complete this fresh survey whether you did last time or whether you are meeting it for the first time. It should take about 15 to 20 minutes and everything you share remains anonymous so you are safe to be open and say what you are feeling or saying.

Take Part in the Survey
 

Why Another Survey?

This new survey is important for our learning and will help us better support each other and the communities around us in the future: Last time round friends responded very generously but Catholic clergy in the UK did not engage as often as those in Ireland. We would like to put that right this time. Clergy are the backbone of the Catholic community making very distinctive contributions to care and service. How are you/they now that the online world has moved in, pastoral needs have become even more complex and all sorts of stresses and hopes are in play?

Last time we asked little about volunteering, this time we are.  

Last year Scotland responded less than Wales and Ireland and England and we would like to hear more from parishes there.  And, of course for all of us across the UK this time round churches are at least in part open whereas last time they were fully closed. Insights from those under represented last time will make a real difference to the evidence and planning for support that may be made in the future.

The data will be shared as a report later in the year and be available to help pastoral planning and wider conversations in parishes, Dioceses and associations as we learn to live with, and beyond, the current pandemic.

 
 
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Covid-19 & Church-21 in collaboration with…

 
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The Revd Andrew Village, Professor of Practical and Empirical Theology, York St John University

The Revd Canon Professor Leslie J. Francis, Visiting Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, York St John University

 
 
 
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Dr Gareth Byrne, Director Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, Dublin City University

Dr Bernadette Sweetman, Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, Dublin City University

 
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Professor Francis Davis, Professor of Religion, University of Birmingham

 
 

Want to find out more about the wider survey?

 
 

Coronavirus, Church & You Survey & Report (2020)

 

Access the report

 

The results of a major survey assessing responses to the Covid-19 crisis among Catholics in the UK reveals the experience of both clergy and the faithful during the pandemic. Access the full report below:

 

What was the survey about?

Over 2,500 Catholics were surveyed, between 19th May and the 26th July, about their experiences and attitudes towards lockdown. The survey, which is part of a wider survey of UK Christian responses to the present crisis, was undertaken by Professor Francis Davis (University of Birmingham and Oxford), Professor Andrew Village (York St John University) and Professor Leslie Francis (University of Warwick) who collaborated with Catholic Voices to publicise the survey and produce the report.

 

What were some of the main findings?

 

The survey aimed to ask participants not just what they did but also what they felt about the experience of lockdown, and what they thought the future might hold. How well did people cope with the pandemic? Did it strengthen or weaken their faith? How was it for clergy and lay leaders trying to work in this new environment? How have those receiving ministry found this novel experience? Will virtual ministry become part of the post-pandemic landscape, and will this be a good move for churches? Among its most significant findings:

  • Of those polled 93% accessed Church services online during COVID19. This high figure naturally reflects the fact that this was an online survey circulated directly by Bishops, clergy, religious orders, lay and diocesan networks.

  • While there was a high level of engagement and appreciation of online worship (66%) the results suggest that there is little danger of a mass exodus to the virtual world, with only 4% thinking they would worship mainly or entirely online in the future.

  • A majority (61%) felt that closing church buildings during the lockdown was the right decision.

  • 80% think that church buildings are central to faith witness in the community and 84% disagreed with the suggestion that church buildings are an unnecessary burden and expense.

  • 82% of Catholics thought that the NHS had responded well to the crisis, whilst just over half of Catholics felt that their church at a national level had responded well (53%) and only about a fifth (22%) of people agreed that the Government led the nation well during the lockdown.

  • Many Catholics polled (63%) had had some contact with clergy or a lay representative during lockdown ranging from pastoral support, practical help, prayer, church admin, or just checking up.

  • Catholics surveyed said that lockdown had helped them to feel closer to God (50%) and more prayerful (54%).