Only 20% of 74 million Pinoy Catholics attend Mass regularly – report

The National Statistics Office noted that there are 74 million Filipinos who identify as Roman Catholics, which accounts for 80 percent of the entire Philippine population. However, the Church said only 20 percent, or around 15 million Filipinos hear Mass on a regular basis.

A report on GMA 7's Saksi on Wednesday said that there are more churchgoers—especially among the youth—during Simbang Gabi than on Sundays.

Youth Director of the Diocese of Cubao Fr. Rey Paglinawan said that Misa de Aguinaldo or Misa de Gallo attracts the young ones because they coincide with the gimmick hours.

"Patok ito sa mga kabataan kasi ito 'yung mga oras na madalim pa...mahilig ang mga kabataan na magpuyat," he said.

But the diocese has a hard time encouraging the younger generations to be active in regular church activities.

Radio Veritas President Fr. Anton Pascual blamed secularism or prioritizing worldly pleasures for the continuing decline of the number of practicing Roman Catholics in the Philippines, especially among the youth.

"Ito ang number one na kalaban ng pananampalataya ngayon," he said.

To invite more young people to the church, youth director Paglinawan suggested using social media.

"Yung internet, let's use this to evangelize young people kasi 'pag 'di natin gagamitin kung ano ang kinakahiligan nila, parang ang layo na natin sa kanila," he said. — Trisha Macas/VC, GMA News