A new study from the United Kingdom reveals a hopeful trend for the Catholic Church, as members of Generation Z (Gen Z) now outnumber Anglicans by a ratio of 2 to 1. This marks a shift observed across various age groups, with Catholicism experiencing a rise in participation, while Anglicanism continues to decline. This trend highlights the resilience and potential for growth within the Catholic faith, particularly among young adults.
According to a report from the Bible Society, a U.K.-based charity known for translating and distributing the Bible worldwide, Christian practice is on the rise in the U.K. after decades of decline. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing participation of young adults, especially young men. The Bible Society’s research, which was based on YouGov surveys, underscores that many young people are seeking community and belief in God in response to the challenges of modern life. With the prevalence of mental health struggles and the distractions of social media, there is a growing interest in prayer and Bible reading, as young people search for meaning and stability.
“The results of this thorough and robust study demonstrate that over the space of only six years, there has been a significant growth in the numbers of people going to church; Christians are practicing their religion more intentionally; more young people are finding faith; more people are reading the Bible,” the report states.
The study reveals that the youngest group surveyed—18- to 24-year-olds—are now the second most likely group in the U.K. to attend church regularly. In fact, 16% of individuals in this age range attend church on a monthly basis, only slightly lower than the 19% of people over 65. This highlights a generational shift toward active participation in faith, particularly among young adults.
Interestingly, the study also notes that young men are leading the charge in this revival. Over one-fifth (21%) of men aged 18-24 report attending church at least once a month, surpassing their female peers, with only 12% of young women attending regularly. This suggests a significant and encouraging trend of spiritual engagement among young men, a group that has often been underrepresented in religious communities.
The report also sheds light on the shift in denominational affiliations among young people. Among the 18-24 age group, Catholics now represent 41%, while only 20% identify as Anglican, down from 30% in 2018. In addition, 18% identify as Pentecostal, reflecting the growing diversity of spiritual expression within the younger generation. This shift suggests that Gen Z is increasingly gravitating toward the Catholic faith, finding in it a source of hope, stability, and community.
When it comes to belief in God, Gen Z leads the way. The study found that 33% of young people in this age range believe in “definitely a God/gods or higher power,” the highest proportion among all age groups. Additionally, 23% of 18-24-year-olds report praying at least daily, a significantly higher percentage than the 17% of the general population. A total of 37% of young adults pray at least monthly, compared to 30% across the broader population. These numbers reflect a deepening spiritual engagement among the youngest generation in the U.K.
However, the study also highlights a gap in Bible reading habits across different Christian traditions. Baptist, independent evangelical, and Pentecostal churches report a much higher rate of weekly Bible reading—around 90%—compared to Anglicans and Catholics, who read the Bible weekly at rates of 61% and 56%, respectively. This reflects a need for Catholics to prioritize the regular reading and study of Scripture as a means of fostering spiritual growth and engagement.
Despite these challenges, the Bible Society’s report offers a hopeful outlook for the future of Catholicism, especially among Gen Z. The study concludes that this generation is more spiritually engaged than many other living generations, presenting a significant opportunity for outreach and deeper engagement with the Catholic faith. Church attendance, they note, is linked to numerous positive outcomes, including higher life satisfaction, a greater sense of community, and lower rates of depression and anxiety. Churchgoers are also more likely to be socially engaged and charitable, underlining the broader societal benefits of regular church participation.
Stephen Bullivant, director of the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society at St. Mary’s University in Twickenham, London, also expressed cautious optimism about the future of Catholicism in the U.K. Despite the ongoing challenges of secularization and the impact of the sexual abuse crisis, Bullivant believes that the Church will continue to grow in certain areas. “Rumors of the Church’s death — albeit four decades hence — have been very greatly exaggerated,” he remarked. Bullivant points to signs of growth in some areas of Catholic life, such as thriving university chaplaincies and vibrant immigrant communities, suggesting that while the Church may not be experiencing a “burst of new life,” it is far from being on the brink of extinction.
While Mass attendance in the U.K. remains well below pre-pandemic levels, with approximately 829,000 people attending Mass on a typical Sunday in 2019, the trend toward increased churchgoing, particularly among young people, offers hope for a gradual resurgence in Catholic life. This growing interest in the faith, especially among Gen Z, signals a promising future for the Catholic Church in the U.K.
As the study from the Bible Society reveals, the spirit of faith and community is alive and well among young people in the U.K., and Catholicism is experiencing a revival that could carry on for generations to come. It is a time for the Church to embrace this spiritual awakening and invest in nurturing the faith of the next generation, ensuring that the seeds of hope and renewal continue to grow.
