Older Adults’ Experiences of the Covid-19 Restrictions on Religious Gatherings

ABSTRACT

Attending church services is an important experience for many older adults. Social distancing measures during the Covid-19 pandemic prompted a temporary suspension of church services. During this lockdown period, churches provided a range of alternative service formats. This study investigates how older people experienced these. Telephone interviews were conducted with 12 regular churchgoers between the ages of 67 and 94 during the lockdown period in three Roman Catholic parishes in Southern Germany. Participants missed church services, but valued various alternative formats. The cemetery became a focal meeting point for some older parishioners. Flexibility in the organization of spiritual support was appreciated.

KEYWORDS:

• Older adults
• religion
• Covid-19
• Germany
• qualitative methods

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).