The distractions of internet and television are to blame for
declining church attendance in the Philippines, according to the head of
the Catholic Bishops' youth commission.Fr Kunegundo Garganta said social media like Facebook and Twitter has presented the Catholic Church with a huge challenge to be relevant and to inspire the faithful.
He also suggested it could be used more effectively to evangelise.
However, Fr Francis Lucas, head of the commission for social media, suggested that televised Masses and livestreaming of church services could be causing reduced attendance.
He reminded that there is no substitute for attending Mass, to receive the body of Christ and to worship together as a community.
Only 37 percent of Filipino adults attend church weekly compared to 64 percent in the early 1990s, according to a recent survey.