US conversions to Catholicism plummet 9% in 2008

June 09, 2009

Despite an increase in the Catholic population of the United States during 2008, the number of baptisms, confirmations, first Communions, and marriages all declined, according to The Official Catholic Directory. While the number of baptisms and confirmations declined by less than 2% and the number of marriages declined by less than 3%, the number of adult baptisms and receptions into the Church plummeted by 9% in a single year-- from approximately 136,000 to 124,000.

 

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Further information:

• Few surprises, but some glimmers of hope in new US church statistics (CNS)
• Official Catholic Directory Statistics Show Catholics Still 22 Percent of US Population (USCCB)