WelCom April 2024
The findings from a New Zealand Church Life Survey (CLS), carried out in 2023, have been analysed and distributed to the Catholic community.
Fr Merv Duffy sm, Dean of Te Kupenga, has produced the document Observations on the Church Life Survey – Nov 2023, which analyses the Catholic data captured by the inter-denominational survey.
Participation in the survey was almost exclusively North Island-based. Findings from the survey are being shared with priests, diocesan teams, parish pastoral councils and administrators.
It is hoped data collected will provide parishes with a snapshot of who they are, informing priorities and helping with decision-making.
The survey is complementary to the synodal process, contributing to understanding of who we are as a parish, diocese, and at national level.
The CLS covered topics such as demographics, growth in faith, commitment to each parish’s vision and community, and relationship to society, reaching out to others, caring for young people, and attitudes towards leadership.
A total of 8,694 Catholics participated in the survey.
The 2023 Church Life Survey NZ was administered by the Christian Research Association of New Zealand, in partnership with the Wilberforce Foundation and Auckland Church Network. The aim is to strengthen and support the Christian Church across New Zealand by equipping leaders with high-quality research and data.