ARCHBISHOP of Brisbane John Bathersby aims to mount a campaign to lead those identifying themselves as Catholics in the 2006 Census back into regular communion with the Church.
The archbishop’s comments followed the release of Census figures which showed that the Catholic population in the Brisbane archdiocese continues to grow at a significant rate.
The latest Census figures also revealed that Queensland’s Catholic population was one of the fastest growing in Australia, and had increased by 46,000 since the 2001 Census.
Preliminary indications are that those identifying as Catholics in the Brisbane archdiocese now number more than 23 per cent of the total population of 2.8 million, the archbishop said.
This represents a more than 15 per cent increase in people who identify as Catholic over the last 10 years.
Archbishop Bathersby said, however, he would like to see a greater percentage of these people become regular church attendees.
The archbishop said he saw two strategies as key to achieving this goal.
“On the individual level the Church needs to dialogue with individuals who say they believe God,” he said.
However, parishes as well need to be able to meet the needs of such people when they do decide to return.
“It’s not just a matter of saying ‘Come back’ – the parishes themselves need to be prepared and welcoming,” the archbishop said.
“This is where programs like Catholics Returning Home can be very valuable.
“It’s also a matter of good liturgy, good music and good homilies.”
