One of British Catholicism’s most significant divides is between urban and rural. The Church is most visible in towns and cities: there are more churches, Mass is celebrated more frequently and parish events are easier to get to. But what about Catholics living in rural areas? It is estimated that 70 per cent of the land area in the UK is agricultural. Yet out in the sticks, it is harder for Catholics to get to the sacraments and for priests to reach their parishioners.
The consequence, of course, is very often falling congregations and church closures. It was announced earlier this year that Salford diocese plans to close more than 20 churches and merge approximately 100 parishes. These closures are rarely popular: Bishop John Arnold of Salford has said that he is “well aware that some of the changes proposed … will not be welcomed”. But he pointed out that “adjustment and change is required to meet the continuing needs and challenges of a changing world.”
