Survey of Active and Inactive Catholics

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has announced the release of Joy and Grievance in an American Diocese: Results from Online Surveys of Active and Inactive Catholics in Central Illinois, conducted by Benedictine University.

The surveys were prompted by the results of the 2011 “October Count” presented to the Presbyteral Council of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois at its March 2012 meeting, which showed a 30 percent decline in attendance at weekend Mass since 1996. The information led Bishop Paprocki to meet with Dr. William J. Carroll, president of Benedictine University, about developing a strategy to study why some Catholics were no longer attending Mass and, in some cases, left the Church altogether. 

Professors Phillip Hardy, Kelly Kendra and Brian Patterson from Benedictine’s Lisle campus conducted two studies of Catholics in the Springfield diocese: one aimed at those who had lapsed or drifted away from the church and another for those registered and attending a local parish. A volunteer sample of 575 inactive parishioners was recruited to complete an online survey from November 2012 through March 2013. A volunteer sample of 827 active parishioners was recruited to complete an online survey from February through March 2014.

Benedictine University at Springfield has graciously agreed to host an afternoon academic conference and evening public forum on Monday, November 24 to discuss the survey research of active and inactive Catholics to present their findings specific to Central Illinois. Bishop Paprocki will give the diocesan response to the survey at the evening session, which will include questions and answers from the public.

Bishop Paprocki plans to incorporate the survey results as an integral component of his vision for the diocese, Strategic Planning for Growth in the Church. By using “growth” as a substitute for the word “evangelization,” Strategic Planning for Growth in the Church will focus on the Church growing qualitatively by deepening the faith of individuals and the commitment of the community, and quantitatively by increasing the number of active practicing Catholics.

“If you are not growing, then you are stagnant or going backwards,” said Bishop Paprocki.

The 2013 October Count for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois indicated a 1.5 percent increase in Mass attendance. This is the first increase in Mass attendance for the diocese since 2000.