Highgate priest 'sad' Christianity is decreasing nationally

Father George K Antony, Catholic priest at St Joseph's Highgate, said it is "sad" numbers are falling nationally, but that they are not so in his own parish.

For the first time in England and Wales less than 50% of people identify as Christian.

Some 46.2% described themselves as Christian on the day of the 2021 census, down from 59.3% in 2011.

The number saying they had no religion increased to 37.2% from 25.2%.

Other religions saw an increase, with those identifying as Muslim rising from 4.9% to 6.5%.

In Camden, 34.6% said they had no religion, an rise from 29.08%, while increase were also seen in Barnet (16.1% to 20.2%)  and Haringey (25.2% to 31.6%).

The Church of St Joseph's in Highgate Hill (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Father George came to St Joseph's parish just before the Covid lockdown. Born a Catholic in Kerala, India, he attended a Muslim school until he was 14 when he entered a seminary to become a priest.

He said more people are looking to other ideas like self help, yoga or jogging.

"This is part of the evolution of post-modernism," he said. "We don't believe in marriage, or children - 'all I want is a dog'."

Passer by or St Joseph's parishioner? (Image: Fr George K Antony)

He is quick to point out that some parishioners bring their pets to mass.

"If you ask me, coming from a pluralist world, Christianity is unique," he said. "It is not a book religion, like the Koran or the Torah, it is not only the bible, it is about the relationship with a person (Jesus)."

He acknowledged that "people are getting alienated from the church" but said the Catholic Church has "initiated a conversation called a Synod", the results of which will be published next year.

Father George added: "I begin my mass like this. No matter who you are, however you are feeling, and wherever you are on your life's journey, you are welcome here."

"Whether you are feeling tired, discouraged or blessed, bored and disillusioned by God or by this life you have a space here."

He added: "I'm sad [about the census results], not because I'm concerned about numbers but because I love every human being. Wherever there's a human being, there's an opportunity for kindness."