A worldwide survey conducted by the Pontifical University of the Holy Crossin collaboration with seven other universities and the Spanish agency GAD3, has examined the values, hopes and religious inclinations of young people aged 18-29 in eight different countries.
The results, which were presented on February 29 at the Santa Cruz of Rome, offer an in-depth look at the state of religiosity and faith among young people, highlighting a growing interest in spirituality around the world. The project to explore the faith and values of young people around the world was born within a new international and interdisciplinary research group that was established a few months ago at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross under the name of Footprints. Young People: Expectations, Ideals, Beliefs, with the aim of creating a platform for continuous listening to the expectations and hopes of the youngest segment of the population.
Returning to the survey - in which 4,889 young people between the ages of 18 and 29 from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Spain, the Philippines, Italy, Kenya, Mexico and the United Kingdom participated - it emerges that interest in spirituality is an important element in the lives of the younger generations, with 83 % of the participants stating that this presence has increased or remained unchanged compared to the previous five years.
This is especially significant in countries such as Kenya, the Philippines and Brazil, where a considerable number of young people identify themselves as believers and recognize a religious experience in their lives.
Faith and spiritual life
The faith of young believers goes beyond traditional religious practices, which influences their opinions on moral issues. In addition, it is observed that conscience is considered a determining factor of what is right or wrong for the majority of respondents (67 %). This conviction increases among those who acknowledge the presence of faith in their lives (71 %).
This does not exclude certain contradictions, as seen for example in Spain, where many recognize the role of conscience in justice (42 %), but a larger number (49 %) support the idea of conscientious objection. There is also a paradox in Italy, where 70 % of respondents are in favor of self-awareness, while 52 % oppose its "objection".
Social issues
On social issues, both believers and atheists consider war unjustifiable, although 25 % of the sample believe that there may be reasons that justify it. It is not excluded that such a stance may have been influenced by current international conflicts, such as those in the Ukraine and the Ukraine. Israel-Palestine.
There is also a common concern between believers and atheists about political corruption and environmental problems, with differing opinions on issues such as pornography and surrogacy, where non-believers are more likely to admit them, just as they are less opposed than their believing peers to the death penalty.
There is considerable agreement between Catholics and non-Catholics on the effect of contraceptives on intimate relationships (39 % and 38 % respectively believe they decrease the quality of the relationship) and a common opposition to the legalization of prostitution, with 70 % of both groups against.
Evidently, differences emerge in the behavior of young people according to the countries to which they belong. The research conducted by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and GAD3 classified the eight countries analyzed by "similarities", revealing four groups of results.
Kenya, Philippines and Brazil
In first place among the "countries with a strong religious identity" are Kenya, the Philippines and Brazil, which show that religion is lived with intense devotion. Specifically, in the Philippines, Catholicism predominates (67 %), while in Kenya there is a higher proportion of other religions (71 % versus 26 % of Catholics); in Brazil, Evangelicals are the main group (31 %), while Catholicism is in second place.
Although the three countries do not share a predominant religion, they show similar attitudes toward religion, social issues and moral law. A significant portion of young people identify themselves as believers and recognize increasing spirituality as they grow older (57 %).
Spain and Italy
Spain and Italy are listed as "secularizing countries"The percentage of young people who identify themselves as believers is lower (35 % and 42 %). However, those who declare themselves believers demonstrate a more deeply rooted faith: a Catholic minority, in short, where 60 % of respondents say they attend Mass at least once a month and emphasize the great importance of the Eucharist in their lives (33 %).
In addition, among Catholics in Spain and Italy there is a high percentage of people who trust in the interpretation of Scripture guided by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church (33 % and 35 %).
Mexico and Argentina
Mexico and Argentina are in an intermediate position, with trends that bring them closer to countries such as Spain and Italy. Mexico stands out with a higher percentage of believers (71 %), followed by Argentina (51 %), but both countries show a lower commitment to religious practice. In fact, mass attendance is 39 % and 61 %, respectively.
United Kingdom
As a unique case, the research highlights the United Kingdom, no doubt because of its Anglican heritage. 48 % of young people identify themselves as believers, 88 % of young Britons say they pray several times a week, while 68 % attend Mass at least once a month.
The study of the Santa Croce also highlights many other facts, such as the differences between atheists and/or agnostics, and between believers and Catholics, which reveal a complex and diverse picture of young people's beliefs and concerns in a time of rapid and often turbulent change.
However, the growing interest in spirituality, gender differences in religious practices and divergences on social issues between those who believe and those who do not reflect a lively dynamic of interaction between faith, ethics and social perspectives among younger generations, demonstrating that they continue to have a voice in society and are still willing to be heard.
– Supernatural Santa Cruz invests in research
As mentioned above, the global survey has been promoted by the group Footprints. Young People: Expectations, Ideals, Beliefs.which is part of the academic development plan of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross launched last year.
Two other projects are currently underway, in addition to the one already mentioned: Christian Identity of Universityan international forum of experts to explore the essential elements that characterize the identity of Christian-inspired universities and the dimensions in which this identity is expressed, from teaching to research, including their social and cultural impact; and Towards a Theology of Evangelizationto study the biblical, patristic and historical-theological foundations of a "theology of evangelization", taking advantage of the contribution of the other human sciences.
40th anniversary
At present, these initiatives involve more than 15 areas of study and more than 35 researchers from more than 10 countries. Another call for proposals has recently been completed, and a few more projects are awaiting approval, thus broadening the academic vision of the young institution founded by Blessed Álvaro del Portillo at the request of St. Josemaría Escrivá, which is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
