Number of Catholics growing throughout the world

[ProVobis]

I don’t think the Catholic population has ever declined.

However, I don’t view this article as encouraging. The Catholic population as a % of the whole world actually saw a decline - albeit 0.01%.

This means other religions or the non-religious have been making gains to the Catholic faith’s detriment.

I don’t know exactly how they do these statistics. Perhaps I’m reading them wrong. They can count those who are baptized from the parishes, and most I would gather are done at the baby stage. They can count those who have died. And they can count those who have officially converted. But how do they count all those ex-Catholics, pardon the expression, or ones who just don’t want to be bothered anymore? It seems once or twice my pastor has mentioned that after their first communions these days, most will never step into a church again.

 

[LisaA]

I don’t know exactly how they do these statistics. Perhaps I’m reading them wrong. They can count those who are baptized from the parishes, and most I would gather are done at the baby stage. They can count those who have died. And they can count those who have officially converted. But how do they count all those ex-Catholics, pardon the expression, or ones who just don’t want to be bothered anymore? It seems once or twice my pastor has mentioned that after their first communions these days, most will never step into a church again.

Your last sentence is the current cause celebre of Matthew Kelly who referred to Confirmation (rather than FHC) as a “going away party” for young Catholics. He attributes it to the poor catechesis and to that end has developed a program (there are others as well). I think this is a challenge to us as practicing Catholics to inquire as to our parish’s programs. As Kelly says if people KNOW the faith they will never be parted from it but most Confirmation programs are ineffective. Of course there are many factors, parental commitment for example. But that being said someone baptized in the Church is certainly more likely to still be Catholic later in life than those who were not baptized. So this is a good first step as well as retaining those who come in as adults through RCIA. From my years on the team, I think there is an unfortunately high level of attrition if you are speaking remaining a practicing Catholic. But again it’s up to us and our clergy to teach Catholics to love the Church.

Lisa

 

[LisaA]

Thank you, Lisa, for that wonderful personal testimony. As a Catholic who recently returned to the Church, I’m very energized and happy to hear of this. I pay little attention to actual numbers but pray fervently for those who are actually living by the faith given to us.

Thank YOU as well for your testimony. I am a convert and also honor those like you, sometimes fondly called “reverts” as I think if you choose as an adult to become Catholic or return to the Church, you are more likely to remain faithful. Having been on the team from 2006 to 2013, my observation is that the converts and reverts are the most active and dedicated as a group, at least in my parish. One of my Cradle Catholic friends said she thinks sometimes if you are raised Catholic, you take it for granted and don’t continue on your faith journey with devotion and dedication. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve worked with a member of the parish on a particular project thinking they were Cradle Catholics only to find so many of them are converts or reverts. Not to stereotype of course as I know many Cradle Catholics who are so devoted to the Church but as ProVobis mentioned, there are many who were sacramentized but not catechized and have long since quit attending Mass.

Lisa

 

[Path_Finder]

How many Christians are in the world??

I got into a discussion once with a Pentecostal who was able to boast how so many Christians were Pentecostal.

Note this from Pew Research:

**
More Than 1 in 4 Christians Are Pentecostal, Charismatic**

christianpost.com/news/more-than-1-in-4-christians-are-pentecostal-charismatic-65358/

The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life published a demographic report this week on the size and distribution of the world’s Christian population and revealed that Pentecostals and charismatics make up more than a quarter of all Christians.

Using estimates from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the report also showed that together Pentecostals and charismatics make up more than 8 percent of the world’s total population.

Again, a lot of these are just estimates and becoming Pentecostal would not seem to be as formal as being Catholic. Still, it is hard to say and hard to exactly pin definitions down.

If a little over a quarter of the world’s Christians are Pentecostal, they must not be that far behind the number of Catholics in the world.

 

[FollowChrist34]

Well of course, the Protestants (and Orthodox) are in the wider body of Christ. God never has and never will abandon those who accept him through faith in Jesus Christ. I believe God knows his Church and, in a sense, does have an “elect.” Being outside of time, he can see the full events of our lives, all of us, to the end of time (without violating or interfering with anyone’s freedom). (Remember, from God’s perspective, you have already lived and died, so has everyone else.)

This isn’t to say that we should not encourage others to become Christian or, even better, Catholics, but it does put it into perspective. I think God is asking us to witness him authentically in the course our life, the path we walk on, the tasks we are given - we are not asked to do any more than that. He’ll handle the big picture. In Christianity, it is not the numbers game that should obsess us. Being a good Christian should obsess us.

 

[boar2roar]

The data is about the change in overall numbers relative to the previous period.
Why would people who self-identified as atheists previously, not do the same thing in this survey?
Non-practising, nominal catholics were no doubt included in the previous survey data as well.
But if their numbers are increasing, that is meaningful.
It indicates a growth in the number of people who identify as catholic relative to the last survey.

Lapsed catholics DO return to the Church.

People of little or no faith DO convert.

Young people DO independently and defiantly reject the empty rhetoric and the consequences
of materialism/atheism/secularism which they saw in their parent’s hedonistic generation.
(Wanna see a church FULL of young people under 30?)

Scandals of the past DO get resolved and recede into ancient history where they belong.

Wait this isn’t a survey or census questionnaire its simply a log of church baptism records isn’t it? I’m assuming thats what it is since its from church statistics and in any case in that number of people baptized you’ll find atheists, a huge chunk of non practicing people, lapsed people who don’t return to the church except in a casket, virulent anti Catholics, confused people who don’t know what they are, heretical people, and people who don’t care.

This number isn’t a practical gage of how many Catholics their are because its a big nice looking number without much insight behind it. I think the number of weekly church going catholics (or more) , practicing catholics in other words, would helps us measure the health of the church much better than this report. I’d honestly be thrilled if it was half this 1.2 bil .

 

[LisaA]

Wait this isn’t a survey or census questionnaire its simply a log of church baptism records isn’t it? I’m assuming thats what it is since its from church statistics and in any case in that number of people baptized you’ll find atheists, a huge chunk of non practicing people, lapsed people who don’t return to the church except in a casket, virulent anti Catholics, confused people who don’t know what they are, heretical people, and people who don’t care.

This number isn’t a practical gage of how many Catholics their are because its a big nice looking number without much insight behind it. I think the number of weekly church going catholics (or more) , practicing catholics in other words, would helps us measure the health of the church much better than this report. I’d honestly be thrilled if it was half this 1.2 bil .

Of course it would be interesting and I hope encouraging to see how many faithful practicing Catholics are out there and if their numbers are increasing. But that being said, do you have any reason to believe the percentage of lapsed, non practicing, or anti Catholics has changed? If anything this has gone DOWN as in the past people were more likely to be “cultural Catholics” who didn’t participate but culture and norms promoted church membership and identification so they went along. Now, again as part of the RCIA team, I see people choosing Catholicism as adults and if my experience is the norm, these are the people who remain faithful practicing Catholics in higher numbers than what I call hit and run Catholics who appear to have their baby baptized and then we never see them again. Given that the percentage of non practicing Catholics has not gone up, wouldn’t we suspect then that more new Catholics (remember not all are baptized as babies, many are not) there would be more practicing Catholics simply by reason of the increased numbers?

Certainly vocations are up, at least in this area vis a vis twenty years ago. Many of our parishes are overflowing and our parish was added to the Archdiocese to take on this increase. I find the news encouraging.

 

[Tigg]

**Lapsed catholics DO return to the Church.

People of little or no faith DO convert.

Young people DO independently and defiantly reject the empty rhetoric and the consequences **

Scandals of the past DO get resolved and recede into ancient history where they belong.

THIS**^^** does more to buoy my spirits than do the numbers. What is particularly heartening are the reports of converting Muslims. But living in this country I can’t help but notice the half empty pews, *-see below; - the Catholic neighbors who have baptized children but never go to Mass, the reports of predominantly Catholic countries (like Latin America) leaving the Church to attend evangelical/Pentecostal services, our shrinking population here, the closed parishes and bankrupt dioceses. And then I look around and read the tell-tale signs of a growing orthodoxy and a return to authentic instruction. I hope we live long enough to really see the New Springtime.

• Our diocese recently did a survey of parishes with stats on Mass and religious ed attendance, registration, etc. The concluding numbers make us cry out - “Where are all these Catholics on the weekend because obviously they are not in church.”

 

[Tigg]

Certainly vocations are up, at least in this area vis a vis twenty years ago. Many of our parishes are overflowing and our parish was added to the Archdiocese to take on this increase. I find the news encouraging.

You are being blessed, but sadly this is not the case in our diocese. We need to rely on visiting African priests to fill the gap. We have lived here 5 years now and I can only remember one ordination from this diocese during that time.

 

[LisaA]

You are being blessed, but sadly this is not the case in our diocese. We need to rely on visiting African priests to fill the gap. We have lived here 5 years now and I can only remember one ordination from this diocese during that time.

Tigg I don’t know where you are (east/west/north/south) I’m in the PNW which is frankly not a bastion of religious faith. I think our state is the most unchurched in the country. But we do have a wonderful seminary and several monastaries and religious orders. I admit that many of the seminarians are not from the archdiocese itself. Still our founding priest said he was the only priest ordained some 28 years ago and now we see 10 to 15 each year.

This is definitely a call to evangelization.

 

[Tigg]

Tigg I don’t know where you are (east/west/north/south) I’m in the PNW which is frankly not a bastion of religious faith. I think our state is the most unchurched in the country.

I hear ya, and the pain in my heart never quite goes away. Three months after moving here, this area was like living in a spiritual wasteland. (If only we had known.) Fortunately, we have a very good, faithful pastor, although we are registered on the other end of town and because of distance, our involvement in parish life is somewhat curtailed.

This is definitely a call to evangelization.

I quite agree and the Lord is generous with little spiritual consolations and we do have perpetual Eucharistic Adoration now and more and more attend. One good thing out of this is that the Lord has filled me with gratitude for my faith and for every single Mass I attend. We’ve tried to move but circumstances prevented it and along with the gratitude is the absolute conviction that all the things I so intensely dislike may be offered up and used by the Lord for His purposes. … Don’t think me too noble - I still rebel and get angry at the more egregious outrages I never seem able to avoid. I do pray for vocations every day.

 

[Mark121359]

I think this is turning around, particularly in what are considered the traditional orders where the Religious live in community. They are going “tech” as well, making great use of social media, internet, websites and their outreach, particularly in music. I’ve been very impressed and supportive of the ImagineSisters campaign. Many joyful young women are finding their vocations.

Lisa

Two that come to mind are the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, and the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. Mother Angelica’s nuns, the Poor Clares, are really thriving. Over the past seven years, the community has made new foundations in Tonopah, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas. And I’ll tell you, these sisters are truly special! As I watched these two short videos about them, here and here, I was immediately struck by the tremendous joy that radiates from these beautiful sisters. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, a sister is present with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament…constantly! Imagine that. While you’re sleeping at 3:00 A.M., one of these Sisters is keeping Jesus company!

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, were founded in 1995 in the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania. They were originally called the Oblates of Mary, Queen of Apostles. But In March 2006, they transferred to the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Missouri. And they too are thriving. They have made quite a name for themselves with their beautiful music, which is off the charts…literally! You can sample some of this music here.

I’ve heard people say that women don’t have important roles to play in the Catholic Church. And to that I say; ***Nonsense! ***Obviously, they haven’t met any of these great sisters! In these days, when our Church sees herself rocked by scandal, and where priests, bishops and even cardinals are saying things that are completely contrary to Church teachings…it is my belief that these nuns, with their constant life of prayer and adoration, are the glue that are holding the Church together! Like St. Therese before them, these women are some of the true heroes of the Faith. May God keep, bless, and protect them always!

Peace, Mark

 

[Mark121359]

I think this is turning around, particularly in what are considered the traditional orders where the Religious live in community. They are going “tech” as well, making great use of social media, internet, websites and their outreach, particularly in music. I’ve been very impressed and supportive of the ImagineSisters campaign. Many joyful young women are finding their vocations.

Lisa

Two that come to mind are the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, and the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. Mother Angelica’s nuns, the Poor Clares, are really thriving. Over the past seven years, the community has made new foundations in Tonopah, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas. And I’ll tell you, these sisters are truly special! As I watched these two short videos about them, here and here, I was immediately struck by the tremendous joy that radiates from these beautiful sisters. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, a sister is present with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament…constantly! Imagine that. While you’re sleeping at 3:00 A.M., one of these Sisters is keeping Jesus company!

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, were founded in 1995 in the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania. They were originally called the Oblates of Mary, Queen of Apostles. But In March 2006, they transferred to the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Missouri. And they too are thriving. They have made quite a name for themselves with their beautiful music, which is off the charts…literally! You can sample some of this music here. EWTN did a special on them a while back. Here is a preview from that special.

I’ve heard people say that women don’t have important roles to play in the Catholic Church. And to that I say; ***Nonsense! ***Obviously, they haven’t met any of these great sisters! In these days, when our Church sees herself rocked by scandal, and where priests, bishops and even cardinals are saying things that are completely contrary to Church teachings…it is my belief that these nuns, with their constant life of prayer and adoration, are the glue that are holding the Church together! Whether they’re Benedictine, Franciscan, Dominican or Carmelite, like St. Therese before them, these women are some of the true heroes of the Faith. May God bless, keep, and protect them always!

Peace, Mark

 

[Tigg]

I’ve heard people say that women don’t have important roles to play in the Catholic Church. And to that I say; ***Nonsense! ***Obviously, they haven’t met any of these great sisters! In these days, when our Church sees herself rocked by scandal, and where priests, bishops and even cardinals are saying things that are completely contrary to Church teachings…it is my belief that these nuns, with their constant life of prayer and adoration, are the glue that are holding the Church together! Whether they’re Benedictine, Franciscan, Dominican or Carmelite, like St. Therese before them, these women are some of the true heroes of the Faith. May God bless, keep, and protect them always!

Peace, Mark

I couldn’t agree more. And their humility and quiet acceptance of God’s will is a glaring contrast to the ones who cherish the academic lime light. Happy New Year, Mark!

 

[LisaA]

Two that come to mind are the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, and the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles. Mother Angelica’s nuns, the Poor Clares, are really thriving. Over the past seven years, the community has made new foundations in Tonopah, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas. And I’ll tell you, these sisters are truly special! As I watched these two short videos about them, here and here, I was immediately struck by the tremendous joy that radiates from these beautiful sisters. Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, a sister is present with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament…constantly! Imagine that. While you’re sleeping at 3:00 A.M., one of these Sisters is keeping Jesus company!

The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, were founded in 1995 in the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania. They were originally called the Oblates of Mary, Queen of Apostles. But In March 2006, they transferred to the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Missouri. And they too are thriving. They have made quite a name for themselves with their beautiful music, which is off the charts…literally! You can sample some of this music here. EWTN did a special on them a while back. Here is a preview from that special.

I’ve heard people say that women don’t have important roles to play in the Catholic Church. And to that I say; ***Nonsense! ***Obviously, they haven’t met any of these great sisters! In these days, when our Church sees herself rocked by scandal, and where priests, bishops and even cardinals are saying things that are completely contrary to Church teachings…it is my belief that these nuns, with their constant life of prayer and adoration, are the glue that are holding the Church together! Whether they’re Benedictine, Franciscan, Dominican or Carmelite, like St. Therese before them, these women are some of the true heroes of the Faith. May God bless, keep, and protect them always!

Peace, Mark

Bravo and amen. I would recommend to all to watch the short video links above as well as many other. Our Sisters are VERY tech savvy, even within the cloister and they radiate joy and love of Christ. I’ve seen many similar clips and videos that show the incredible serenity and devotion of these young orders and young is the operative word. I am greatly comforted knowing that at any hour of the day there are Sisters praying. That is one of the themes of Imagine Sisters…one Sister can change the world. They are the glue holding the Church together with their singular devotion to praying for Christ’s intentions in the cloister.

This outreach through media is a marvelous evangelization tool as well as inspiring vocations. We are so blessed to have these Sisters providing love and peace in a very troubled world.

 

[Mark121359]

I couldn’t agree more. And their humility and quiet acceptance of God’s will is a glaring contrast to the ones who cherish the academic lime light. Happy New Year, Mark!

On Wednesdays at 3:00p.m. on EWTN Radio, Sister Grace Marie, Sister Mary Peter, and Sister Elizabeth Marie of the “Texas Nuns” (Mother’s Poor Clares) do a show called “A Good Habit.” And I must admit that I’m hooked on it. I don’t know what it is about these sisters, but there is a joy and a genuine interior peace that emanates from them that is absolutely infectious! Whether it’s these Poor Clares or the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, or any of these cloistered, contemplatives that spend their entire life in a monastery, I cannot help but notice this obvious interior joy that these sisters are experiencing. It reminds me very much like what St. Therese describes in “A Story of a Soul.” They are to me the real prayer warriors. And I tell you, I think the absolute world of them! My prayers are with them.

P.S. A happy and blessed New Year to you as well Tigg…and may God Richly Bless You!

Peace, Mark

 

[Mark121359]

I am greatly comforted knowing that at any hour of the day there are Sisters praying. That is one of the themes of Imagine Sisters…one Sister can change the world. They are the glue holding the Church together with their singular devotion to praying for Christ’s intentions in the cloister.

A little while back, I was listening to the Sisters on their radio show “A Good Habit,” when a young women called into the show in obvious distress and pain. I can’t recall what her problem was, but those Sisters went to work on her with such compassion, that it was truly awe inspiring. And unlike other call in shows that barely gives the caller enough time to get their point across, these Sisters spent a good portion of their program lifting this woman’s spirits. And they succeeded! This woman was deeply moved by the Sisters genuine concerns for her…and so was I! These Sisters are the real deal. I can’t begin to imagine the great joy and consolation that these Sisters give to Jesus through their constant praise and adoration they shower upon Him in the Blessed Sacrament. In this fast-paced world, where so many of us find it a struggle to simply give Jesus the time of day…these Sisters give Him their all!

Peace, Mark

 

[LisaA]

A little while back, I was listening to the Sisters on their radio show “A Good Habit,” when a young women called into the show in obvious distress and pain. I can’t recall what her problem was, but those Sisters went to work on her with such compassion, that it was truly awe inspiring. And unlike other call in shows that barely gives the caller enough time to get their point across, these Sisters spent a good portion of their program lifting this woman’s spirits. And they succeeded! This woman was deeply moved by the Sisters genuine concerns for her…and so was I! These Sisters are the real deal. I can’t begin to imagine the great joy and consolation that these Sisters give to Jesus through their constant praise and adoration they shower upon Him in the Blessed Sacrament. In this fast-paced world, where so many of us find it a struggle to simply give Jesus the time of day…these Sisters give Him their all!

Peace, Mark

Thank you for the suggestion regarding this program. I can stream EWTN at work and will definitely look for this show. It sounds delightful. I think of the Little Sisters of the Poor who are literally angels for the poor and the elderly. I’ve seen videos of them in action and they are also truly inspirational. What compassion and love of Christ shines through. I hope as the Sisters in various orders engage more through the media, more will be aware of their amazing devotion and the joy they express as they provide the hands and feet of Christ in the world.

Speaking of evangelization, we have a group of Franciscans who run a retreat center that is always booked up. These Sisters provide the most cheery, joyful hospitality and are a delight to work with as our Parish has scheduled a number of events at their center. One of their areas of outreach are the “Franciscan Girls” who volunteer at the center for various events. These young ladies are everything you love to see in a shiny faced, sweet and caring young person. They love to serve and demonstrate Franciscan hospitality. I would not be surprised if this is one of their best opportunities for vocations as is being an Alter Server for priests. You can’t help but want to be with the Sisters. They are a joy.

 

[twf]

These stats really don’t tell us much. This is simply the number of baptized Catholics parishes / dioceses around the world have reported. There are 1.2 billion baptized Catholics. How many attend mass on a regular basis? Certainly a minority of this number. While the total number of Catholics has increased, so has the total population of the world. Yes, evangelism is thriving in some regions and conversions do happen (praise God!), but the majority of this reported increase is simply infant baptisms…meaning, people in culturally Catholic countries, such as in Latin America, are still having kids. The overall number of Catholics relative to the global population has DECREASED as noted in the article. That shouldn’t surprise us, as Catholicism is on the decline in Europe and Latin America where the majority of our traditional numbers come from. The good news is we are seeing real increases in both conversions and vocations in parts of Africa and Asia - and even here in North America. There will always be an ebb and flow…but Christ will ultimately sustain His Church.

 

[ProVobis]

These stats really don’t tell us much. This is simply the number of baptized Catholics parishes / dioceses around the world have reported. There are 1.2 billion baptized Catholics. How many attend mass on a regular basis? Certainly a minority of this number. While the total number of Catholics has increased, so has the total population of the world. Yes, evangelism is thriving in some regions and conversions do happen (praise God!), but the majority of this reported increase is simply infant baptisms…meaning, people in culturally Catholic countries, such as in Latin America, are still having kids. The overall number of Catholics relative to the global population has DECREASED as noted in the article. That shouldn’t surprise us, as Catholicism is on the decline in Europe and Latin America where the majority of our traditional numbers come from. The good news is we are seeing real increases in both conversions and vocations in parts of Africa and Asia - and even here in North America. There will always be an ebb and flow…but Christ will ultimately sustain His Church.

Actually there has been a steady decline in infant baptisms, both U.S. and worldwide.

That and other pertinent data:

cara.georgetown.edu/caraservices/requestedchurchstats.html