The gathering restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic have placed churches in a difficult situation, hindering the possibility of personal relationships between worshipers and clergy, thereby hindering the fulfillment of basic church duties. Faced with this challenge, clergy have sought to carry out the church's mission primarily through internet-based opportunities, thereby presenting worshipers with new and challenging tasks. To understand the solutions implemented by clergy in this crisis situation, their effectiveness, and how worshipers utilized these online services—along with the advantages and disadvantages observed—the Institute for Religious Studies in Cluj-Napoca initiated a survey-based research using an online questionnaire.
Data collection took place from April 22 to May 2, 2020, utilizing an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was promoted on the websites of churches predominantly serving Hungarian-speaking congregations in Transylvania (Roman Catholic, Reformed, Unitarian, Lutheran), church mailing lists, Facebook groups, and various online portals. A total of 3,975 individuals participated in the survey, including 456 priests/ministers.
Research Team Members:
Kiss Dénes (Research Coordinator), Bálint Róbert Zoltán, Fejes Ildikó, Szabó Mihály
Analysis of Research Results (in Hungarian):
Religious Life in Transylvania During the Coronavirus Pandemic I. Clergy During the Curfew
Religious Life in Transylvania During the Coronavirus Pandemic II. Research Results Among Worshipers
Religious Life in Transylvania During the Coronavirus Pandemic III. Conclusions and Recommendations