The table shows the percentage of people who described themselves as Anglican in the Australian Census at various times from 1954 to 1996 - HSC - SSCE Studies of Religion - Question 7 - 2001 - Paper 1

To understand the decreasing percentage of Anglicans reported in the Australian Census over the years, we can analyze the potential influences on religious affiliation.

The provided options suggest different socio-political and demographic factors that might contribute to this trend.

• The loosening of Australia's ties with Great Britain (A): While some cultural shifts may have occurred over time, this doesn’t specifically explain a decrease in Anglican adherence as a direct cause.

• The movement between Christian denominations (B): This could suggest that Anglicans might be shifting to other Christian groups; however, it does not directly account for the overall decrease in percentage.

• The changing pattern of immigration after World War II (C): Following World War II, the migration patterns shifted, leading to a more diverse population with different cultural and religious backgrounds, likely resulting in a decrease in the percentage of Anglicans as non-Anglican migrants would identify with their own religious groups.

• The aging of the Anglican population in Australia (D): While this is a valid consideration, it generally aligns indirectly with the changing demographics of the society at large.

Given these analyses, option (C) - The changing pattern of immigration after World War II - is the most accurate explanation for the declining percentages of Anglicans in Australia.