Covid sees faith interest rise

Covid-19 may have been a hammer blow for many British businesses and the economy – but it has been good news for the Church of England, which has seen a surge in interest in its online services during the past 12 months.

According to the latest data, at least 3.7 million people have viewed the 54 ‘national online services’ it has broadcast during the past year – with more than 40 million views on social media also being recorded.

And more than eight million people have used specialist apps for prayer – an increase of 50 per cent on the same period a year ago.

Looking and planning

‘We are delighted that we have been able to meet so many people despite the challenging situation that we are still in,’ commented C of E spokesperson, Amaris Coles, when speaking to Premier Christian News.

The rise in interest in faith matters has come since Covid restrictions were imposed on places of worship by the government.

Asked about what these figures mean for the Church moving forward, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, added: ‘As we look and plan ahead, it’s not a question of either online worship or meeting in-person, but of how we will be shaped by the experience and commitments of the last year, to try new things, to value the things we perhaps took for granted before, and to reach out to more people.’