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The Pandemic’s Effect on the Catholic Church The Pandemic's Effect on the Catholic Church

By Collin Davies

Reporter Collin Davies: As the pandemic transitions to an epidemic many religious institutions have been hurt. And that’s no exception for the Catholic Church, the largest denomination of religion in the country. One of the largest impacts has been the decline in Mass attendance. Saint Michael and St. Peter Church Deacon Matt Lumia says this has been happening for decades.

Deacon Matt Lumia: “You know, I’m in my mid 50’s. Growing up in the 70’s it was normal that you would see families in their entirety enjoying the Sabbath as a community with their families. That’s just not the case.”

Reporter: And for the first time ever over a five-year span, the Catholic Church has actually lost some of its attendance. Records have been kept since 1970. And the number of priests in 1970, 59,000. And the number today, nearly half at 35,000.And the pandemic worsened the Mass attendance tolls. And one of the options and solutions was virtual Masses, in which, Deacon Matt is questioning some of the benefits of virtual Masses.

Deacon Matt: “We put in live stream technology that’s available, and I wonder if that’s for better or for worse at this point. Because people can view, but they are not necessarily receiving the Eucharist and being with the full community. Its kind’ve a double-edged sword with this live streaming thing.”

Reporter: But on the financial side, the community has continued to do its part.

Deacon Matt: “Overall, giving continued. It was really remarkable.”

Reporter: Now the Catholic Church, like most other religions, will have to find a way to get people back involved.

Deacon Matt: “There is a restart of sorts. Not only at our parish, but the diocese as a whole and across the nation, to probably reengage with our community and with our full parishioners.”

Reporter: Hitting the reset button, with the rest of world. Collin Davies, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)—The pandemic has been harsh to the world, especially religious institutions. Some of the impacts may be permanent.

The Catholic Church is the largest denomination of religion in the United States. The largest impact of the pandemic is a decline of people attending Mass.

Matt Lumia is the deacon for the Church of St. Michael and St. Peter in Syracuse. Deacon Lumia said a decline in attendance has been happening for many years.

“I’m in my mid 50’s. Growing up in the 70’s it was normal that you would see families in their entirety enjoying the Sabbath as a community with their families. That’s just not the case,” Lumia said.

The total number of Catholics in the United States decreased for the first time ever from 2015-2020. Records have been kept since 1970. Also since 1970, the number of priests has dropped from around 59,000 to nearly 35,000 according to a Georgetown study.

During the pandemic many people weren’t able to come to Masses, so church’s offered them virtually. Now as people are coming back in person, Deacon Lumia questioned the necessity for them.

“We put in live stream technology that’s available, and I wonder if that’s for better or for worse at this point. Because people can view, but they are not necessarily receiving the Eucharist and being with the full community. Its kind’ve a double-edged sword,” Lumia said.

Some families are not coming back to Mass because they’ve been distanced from the church for so long. In response, Deacon Lumia said measures need to be taken to attract more people back.

“There is a restart of sorts. Not only at our parish, but the diocese as a whole and across the nation, to probably reengage with our community and with our full parishioners,” Lumia said.

The Catholic Church will be hitting the reset button with the rest of the world.

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