Mass appeal: Churches see surge in non-Catholics’ attendance

A research conducted by Tearfund,that works with churches in over 60 countries,confirms that the number of non-Christians attending the midnight mass is increasing.

According to Fr Malcolm Sequeira,the Parish priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral,of an average 5,500-6000 people at St Patrick’s on Christmas Eve around 25 per cent are non-Catholics.

“Christmas is more of a social festival when people of all faiths and beliefs wish one another. In Pune,a lot of the non-Christians attending the masses are from the BPO and IT sector.

There are many European MNCs in the city and as it is the holiday season in the West,it is but natural that these cultural influences have made their presence felt here.

“Many of those attending the mass come in just to experience it so that when they are dealing with their European clients,they have a common platform that can help them bond better,” says Sequeira.

Seconding this is Fr Clement Raj,the Parish priest at St Ignatius Church. “The influence of the West on youngsters interacting with the companies there cannot be denied. But the good part is that the non-Catholics who attend the mass are extremely disciplined and do not come for the communion rituals,which are only for Christians. It is nice to see them partake in our celebrations in such an orderly manner. Of the 25,00-3,000 strong crowd,around 800-900 are non-Catholics.”

Raunak Chandras,a 27-year-old software engineer with a city-based IT firm and a regular at the St Xavier’s Church in Camp,says he attends the midnight mass both to know how it is conducted and the desire to celebrate the holiday season in this manner.

“It’s curiosity combined with wanting to imbibe the spirit of the festival,” says Chandras,echoing the sentiments of many others like him.