Italy: Participation in Catholic Religious Instruction Declining

Although still quite high, the participation in Catholic religious instruction in the academic milieu is slightly declining in Italy.  Six million children and adolescents took religion classes in 2010, indicates the department of the Bishops' Conference responsible for the question on February 27, 2011.  This represents 90% of the students in public schools, whereas in 2008, it was 91%, and in 1994-1995, it was 94%, according to the Italian Bishops' Conference's National Service for Instruction in the Catholic Religion.  Even if the grades in religion are taken into account in the general evaluation of the students, the participation in religious instruction is optional in Italy.  (Source: apic – DICI #232, March 19, 2011)