3 Jul 2017, 9:55 a.m.

Census data reveals the number of people identifying as members of traditional churches has declined.

Keep the faith: Reverend Nigel Fortescue, of St Peters Anglican Church, Campbelltown. Picture: Simon Bennett

Campbelltown has seen a spike in the number of atheists in the area whilethe number of those who identify as Catholic or Anglicanhas dropped off.

Figures in the census released last Tuesday show the number of Catholics and Anglicans in Campbelltown has decreased by 2434 and 6804respectivelyfrom 2011 to 2016.

The decline occurred even though the population grew by more than 11,000.

On the other side of the coin the number of atheists grew by almost 10,000 people.

Reverend Nigel Fortescue, of St Peters Anglican Church located on the corner of Cordeaux Steet and Moore Street in Campbelltown said the statistics showed people were consideringtheir faith more rather than just ticking the box without thinking.

I think people are now giving more thought to their religious belief, he said.

Previously people were baptised Anglican so they just ticked the Anglican box. Now they are thinking what do I believe?.

Congregation: St Peters Anglican Church, Campbelltown, parishoners Reverend Nigel Fortescue (centre). Picture: Simon Bennett

While the number of official Anglicans may have decreased, Reverend Fortescue didnt believe the number of those attending local churches had followed suit.

Churches throughout Campbelltown are holding their own in terms of the numbers growing, he said.

There are churches opening up and more people are coming into the church.

In our church dozens of (new) people have become Christians this year.

The head of the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong which encapsulatesMacarthur Bishop Peter Ingham, said the figures do not come as a surprise.

There is a disenchantment with organised religion and a growing interest in unorganised spirituality, he said.

These days, many people want belief without belonging and belonging without belief.

You've gotta have faith: Bishop Peter Ingham, the head of the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong. Picture: Robert Peet

Bishop Ingham said the busy nature of peopleslives had left little or no time for God.

He also said the Catholic Churchs involvement in theRoyal Commission into institutional child abusehad not helped in terms of parishioners.

Theres no denying that since the last census the reputation and moral standing of the church has taken a huge battering, and for good reason, with the revelations of the Royal Commission, he said.

And for many, this has been the last straw, and we have to acknowledge the truth of that and acknowledge that we are currently being rightly humbled.

Bishop Ingham said the figures served as a wake-up call.

Although it is not a popularity contest for us, we need to be committed more than ever to see these figures change, not so we can win in the next census, but because we want those around us to know the joy of the Christian life, he said.

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Atheism on the rise as number of Catholics and Anglicans fall - Wollondilly Advertiser