Africa has recorded the highest increase in the number of Catholics worldwide, according to a new report by the Catholic Church.
In its reportpublished on Friday ahead of the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, Fides News Agency, the church’s news service, said the global Catholic population increased by 16.69 million to 1.42 billion as of June 30, 2024.
The report said Africa recorded the largest increase, with 7.58 million additional Catholics, followed by the Americas with 6.99 million.
Asia recorded an increase of 968,000, while Europe added 911,000 and Oceania 239,000.
Compiled by Luca Mainoldi, the report draws
Compiled by Luca Mainoldi, the report draws on the latest edition of the church’s statistical yearbook, which provides data on the Catholic population, clergy, religious personnel and the church’s educational, healthcare and charitable activities.
The global Catholic population accounted for 17.8 percent of the world’s population, which stood at approximately eight billion during the period under review.
The Americas had the largest Catholic population, with 678.87 million, representing 64 percent of the continent’s population.
Africa ranked second, with 288.31 million Catholics, slightly more than Europe’s 287.24 million.
Asia had 156.17 million Catholics, while Oceania recorded 11.56 million.
Catholics accounted for 19.9 percent of Africa’s population,
Catholics accounted for 19.9 percent of Africa’s population, 39.7 percent of Europe’s, 3.3 percent of Asia’s and 25.9 percent of Oceania’s.
PRIEST NUMBERS RISE AFTER FIVE YEARS
The report said the global number of priests increased for the first time in five years, rising by 425 to 407,421.
Africa recorded the largest increase, with 1,676 additional priests, followed by Asia with 1,065 and the Americas with 199.
However, Europe recorded a decline of 2,483 priests, while Oceania lost 32.
The number of diocesan priests rose by 496
The number of diocesan priests rose by 496 to 279,238, while that of religious priests fell by 71 to 128,183.
Despite the overall increase, the average number of Catholics per priest rose by 38 to 3,491 compared with the previous year.
The global number of bishops also increased by 95 to 5,525, comprising 4,365 diocesan bishops and 1,160 religious bishops.
Permanent deacons rose by 669 to 52,102, with the Americas accounting for 424 additional deacons and Europe 236.
While the Catholic population and the number
While the Catholic population and the number of priests increased, the number of women religious and major seminarians continued to decline globally, according to the report.
Africa was the only continent to record an increase, adding 2,190 women religious. Europe recorded the largest decline, with 6,473 fewer, followed by the Americas with 4,432.
Asia and Oceania recorded decreases of 320 and 257, respectively.
The number of major seminarians, comprising diocesan and religious candidates preparing for priesthood, declined by 2,891 to 103,604.
Africa was again the only continent that recorded an increase, adding 786 seminarians to reach 35,710.
Asia recorded the largest decline, with 2,733 fewer
Asia recorded the largest decline, with 2,733 fewer major seminarians, followed by Europe with 701, the Americas with 227 and Oceania with 16.
The number of minor seminarians also fell by 980 to 94,041.
LAY MISSIONARIES, CATECHISTS INCREASE
The report also recorded an increase in the number of lay missionaries and catechists involved in the church’s activities worldwide.
Lay missionaries increased by 18,473 to 463,079, with the Americas accounting for the largest rise of 20,492.
Africa and Oceania also recorded increases, while Asia and Europe experienced declines.
The number of catechists rose by 22,370 to 2,889,336.
The Americas recorded an increase of 16,515 catechists, while Asia added 13,616. Oceania recorded a rise of 48.
Europe, however, recorded a decline of 7,603 catechists, while Africa lost 206.
The number of ecclesiastical circumscriptions worldwide increased by six to 3,047.
The church also recorded 111,602 mission stations, including 4,187 with resident priests and 107,415 without.
Mission stations with resident priests increased by 987
Mission stations with resident priests increased by 987 compared with the previous year’s figures, while those without resident priests declined by 12,162.
CHURCH OPERATES THOUSANDS OF SCHOOLS, HEALTHCARE CENTRES
Beyond its pastoral activities, the report said the church operates 75,448 kindergartens with 7.48 million pupils, 103,666 primary schools with 36.31 million pupils and 51,810 secondary schools with 20.34 million pupils.
An additional 2.69 million pupils attend secondary schools, while 4.09 million students study at university institutes affiliated with the church, according to the report.
Africa accounts for the largest number of pupils
Africa accounts for the largest number of pupils enrolled in Catholic primary schools, with 21.29 million students.
The report also listed 101,110 healthcare and charitable institutions operated by the church worldwide.
They include 5,397 hospitals, 13,646 dispensaries, 468 care homes for people with leprosy, 16,263 homes for older people and those with chronic illnesses or disabilities, and 8,138 orphanages.
Other facilities include 10,352 creches, 10,624 marriage counselling centres, 3,194 social rehabilitation centres and 33,028 other institutions.
Africa has the largest number of Catholic hospitals and dispensaries, while Europe accounts for most homes serving older people and those with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Source: www.thecable.ng
