44 Percent of Germans want the Old Mass

Catholic Knight reports similar numbers for the States, here.

The past running brutal Church persecution in Germany has also revealed, that the believers themselves are having a change of attitude about the means of healing for their religion.



At least 44% of practicing Catholics in Germany would regularly participate in an Old Mass, if the requirements of the Motu Proprio 'Summorum Pontificum' were established in their country.

This was reported by the French organization 'paixliturgique.com' today in an article.

The organization maintains, that a great part of the German hierarchy is hostile to the liturgical rapprochement desired by the Pope.

The Bishops are at pains to disparage the numbers of requests for the Use of the Motu Proprio.

Indeed, now 'paixliturgique.com' has launched a representative poll with the US opinion research institute 'Harris Interactive'.

The poll was held from the 18th to the 25th of February. 2,611 Catholic households in Germany with ages above 18 were questioned. Here are the questions and answers:

First Question: Do you go to Holy Mass?

Every Week: 5.9%
Once a Month: 4.1%
For a big Holy Day: 18.9%
Occasionally (e.g., weddings, funerals): 42.3%
Never: 28.8%

Second Question: Do you know, that the Pope has allowed two forms of Mass, a modern one with the people facing the priest and communion in the hand, and the traditional latin, with the priest facing the altar and Communion orally received on the knees?

Yes: 43.1%
No: 56.9%

Third Question: Would it be normal, if both forms were regularly celebrated in your community?

Normal: 50,6%
Not Normal: 24.5%
No Opinion: 24.9%

Fourth Question: Would you attend the old Mass, even if the new Mass were also celebrated nearby?

Answer of regular or monthly Massgoers:

-25 percent would participate every week.
-19 percent would participate once a month.
-9 percent would participate by great feasts.
-40 percent would occasionally [wow] participiate.
- 7 percent would never, [ever?] attend. [wow, only 7?]

The organization 'paixliturgique.com' maintains, that every fourth German who practices would attend the Old Mass every Sunday, if he had the opportunity in his community.

A further 19 percent would at least attend the old Mass once a month. That gives a total figure of 44 percent. [!]

In Germany 1,185,310 Catholics go to Mass every Sunday. A further 823,690 visit Church services at least once a month.

'Paixliturgique.com' informs, that this investigation in Germany yielded similar results in Paris, Versailles, Italy and all of France.

Opposition against the Old Mass is, with 25 Percent of all Catholics, in a decisive minority.

© Bild: birmingham_lms_rep, CC