France: A Survey on “Who are the young Catholics today”?
Three thousand young believers from 16 to 30 years old filled out the survey of the newspaper La Croix and of the Nation Service for the Evangelization of the Youth and for Vocations (SNEJV), and the results of this survey were published in the Easter edition of the French newspaper (April 23, 24 and 25, 2011). This study, realized between January 17 and February 28 of this year, shows that for 15% of the young people questioned, a Catholic is first of all “someone who prays, who thinks of God and has been baptized.” 59% consider that the Mass is essential and 72% claimed to assist at Mass every week. Prayer is important for 69% of them, as well as singing and music (59%). What is more, 63% say that they give themselves to mental prayer every day and 24% to reading the Bible.
The youth expect of the Church first of all that she promote spirituality's place in society (for 47%) and that she defend life more (44%). 70% of the participants consider that their engagement in society is very important (36%), even essential (34%). 91% deem it of capital importance to bear witness to their faith by discussions (92%) or concrete actions (59%). Open to “plurality”, 80% say that they are interested by the dialogue with religions, especially with Islam (86%) and Judaism (84%). Last of all, the Catholic youth of France is today inspired by models such as Mother Teresa (34%), Sister Emmanuel (30%) and John Paul II (23%). (Sources: apic/Lacroix – DICI#235 May 28, 2011)
