New Fast rules boost numbers

Catholic Herald Reporter
MORE people than ever hefore are going to Com
munion since the food and alcohol fast was reduced to one hour. Reports from Britain's churches and cathedrals indicate a "remarkable" and "rapid" growth in numbers.
Administrators at many cathedrals have already stepped up their altar-bread orders. And they predict that the numbers of communicants will continue to increase steadily in a rising graph.
It is too early to attempt a breakdown in figures, as the announcement was made only three weeks ago. but at least one cathedral has recorded a growth of about 25 per cent and another a rise of 20 per cent.
`Very heavy'
At Southwark, where Mgr. Canon Bernard Rogan has had to order more altar breads, there has been "a remarkable increase". At Sunday midday Mass alone about 160 now go to communion. Three weeks ago this Mass averaged about 40.
The increase is especially marked at Sunday evening Masses, and Portsmouth reports that "more than ever before" go to the altar rails. Plymouth records a "noticeable increase" of about 15 to 20 per cent.
The rise in Northampton has been "very heavy". Cardiff has had "a tremendous increase" and the same pattern has repeated itself in parishes around the country. Liverpool, too, noted a "quite extraordinary increase" immediately after the Pope's announcement.
At Westminster Cathedral the numbers have "increased enormously", Mgr. George Tomlinson. the Administrator, said. "At midday and evening Masses especially, communions have shot up because of the easier fasting regulations". Mgr. Tomlinson estimated a rise of about 25 per cent.