A tale of two congregations unfolds at a heritage-listed church in Northgate, where Indian migrant families belonging to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church fill the pews of St Alphonsa, formerly known as St John’s, every Sunday. Unfortunately, as this community flourishes, another congregation faces the cancellation of its Sunday Mass.
Yet, as this community flourishes, another congregation faces the cancellation of their Sunday Mass.
This contrast highlights a broader demographic shift across Australia, where migrant communities gravitate towards affordable suburbs while established Catholic churches grapple with ageing and shrinking congregations. The Brisbane Catholic Archdiocese, overseeing the Northgate parish, recently informed the English-speaking congregation that their 7.30 a.m. Sunday Mass would be discontinued.
Data from the National Catholic Census Project underscores this trend, showing an increase in Catholics identifying as such in the area, a rise in the median age and a decline in the proportion of “blue-collar” Catholics. Simultaneously, the number of Catholics born in non-English-speaking countries has risen.
Approximately 50 English-speaking worshippers are encouraged to attend Mass at the parish’s other churches in Hendra, Clayfield, and Hamilton. This leaves the Syro-Malabar Church, which offers daily Masses in Malayalam, as the sole congregation utilising the Nudgee Road space.
Father Michael Grace, in his newsletter, acknowledged the decision’s mixed reception and apologised for any hurt caused, particularly within the Northgate community. The Archdiocese stated that the changes were widely accepted and that priests were limited to three Sunday Masses according to canon law.
The future of the St John’s church building, an official war memorial, remains uncertain. Despite offers, the Archdiocese has no plans to sell the land, and the parish retains all rental income from the church grounds. Father Varghese Vithayathil, serving the Syro-Malabar community, expressed their uncertainty about the future.
The growth of migrant communities, like the Syro-Malabar Eastern Catholic Church, the second-largest Eastern Catholic church globally, has historically been a strength of the Catholic Church in Australia.
Associate Professor Joel Hodge from the Australian Catholic University emphasised this, noting that the trend is reflected in nationwide parishes, schools, and vocations.
Published Date 21-August-2024