Lithuanians Catholic Church sees sharp drop in support

  • 2010-07-20
  • TBT Staff

The Church has seen a major blow to support after refusing to allow the coffin of the first president into the Cathedral. (photo by Rudi Roels.)

VILNIUS - A recent survey has found that support for the Catholic Church in Lithuania is in a sharp decline as people around the country begin to lose confidence in the church.

Lithuania, along with neighboring Poland, is traditionally held as one of the most ardently catholic countries in Europe. Nearly 80% of the population identify themselves as Catholic, with the next closest denomination being Orthodox at about 4%.

The poll, conducted by public opinion and market research centre Vilmorus July 2-11, found that Lithuanian’s trust in the Church has dropped from 61.3 % in June to 47 % in July. According to the same survey some 25.8 % said that they did not have confidence in the Church, as compared with 12.7 % in June.

In sharp drop in interest has been the result of the Catholic Church's refusal to allow the coffin of Algirdas Brazauskas, the first president of Lithuania since its restored independence, to be brought into Vilnius Cathedral.

The ratings of Cardinal Audrys Juozas Backis faced even more dramatic changes. His approval rating after the incident plummeted to 24% from 47%.