The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Armagh Dr Richard Clarke says the Anglican Church must take a long-term approach to its mission in Ireland over the next twenty years which should be based on reality rather than wishful thinking.
The Primate made the comments as the results of a parish-based census, commissioned by the General Synod in 2012 and carried out last November, were released.
The survey shows that average attendance at worship on a ”˜usual’ Sunday was 58,000 people ”“ 15 per cent of those reporting as Church of Ireland in the 2011 national Censuses.
The Church of Ireland seems to think it’s not doing too well. But 15% of its members show up regularly. If 15% of the nominal Church of England population in England attended Mass on an average Sunday it would increase attendances 10-fold and churches would be crowded out. Clergy would be singing alleluia.