Updated at 4.19pm with Curia statement

The Church will be looking at introducing a pastoral plan that includes more assistance to the most vulnerable in society in an attempt to address Mass attendance problems, Times of Malta has learnt.

The Sunday Times of Malta reported last month that Sunday Mass attendance was projected to decline further over the coming years until it hits just 10% of Malta’s Catholic population by 2040.

The data emerged from a census taken in 2017 and which showed that a mere 37% of the population attends Mass on Sunday.

In comments to Times of Malta following the publication of the census results, a Church spokesman said the research was one of the main topics discussed during a recent priests’ live-in.

“Together with the members of the parish pastoral councils, parish priests will now analyse the situation in their parish, based on the results of the census as well the survey which also reached out to those who do not attend Mass,” the spokesman said.

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Church pastorally effective collectively

“Factors to be considered include whether the celebration of Mass and other sacraments are held at the most convenient times for families and individuals in their communities.”

Another step to ensure that the Church was “pastorally effective collectively” in light of the findings would be to include a pastoral plan that called for new ways to bring its message across to people and which was supported by works of charity.

Opinion: That shocking Mass statistic - Fr Joe Borg

“These include several Church initiatives that assist the poor, the sick and the most vulnerable in society,” the spokesman said, adding that the focus on the younger generations would also be stepped up.

According to the census, more than half of the attendees were over 50 years old, confirming the perception that those who adhere to the Sunday Mass obligation are an aging population. The number of Catholic youngsters up to 14 years who go to Sunday Mass has halved from 42% in 2005 to a mere 22% in 2017.

The figure is even worse for those in the slightly older age group where a drop from 40% to 19% among those aged 15 to 24 was noticed.

'We are not targeting the poor' - Curia

In a statement, the Curia said that its reply had been misinterpreted. 

"The Church will not be targeting the poor," a Curia spokesperson said. 

"One of the steps to reach out to people will be a pastoral plan focusing on a new evangelisation which is supported by works of charity. These works include several church initiatives which assist the poor, the sick and the most vulnerable in society. The Church will continue to assist the poor irrespective of whether they attend Mass or not, as it has been doing over the centuries."

The spokesman said that the Church's main focus would be younger generations, "as witnessed during the last Synod of Bishops dedicated entirely to young people and faith, as well as the recent World Youth Day celebrations in Panama led by Pope Francis." 

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