By the numbers: How the Catholic Church has changed during Pope Francis’ pontificate
March 23, 2023
» Continue to this story on CNA
CWN Editor's Note: “Statistically speaking, the Church has grown, keeping pace with and even exceeding overall world population growth,” according to the report.
However, “the Church performed 2 million fewer baptisms in 2020 [marked by Covid lockdowns] than in 2013. The number of marriages declined by 702,246, or nearly a third. Confirmations and first Communions also dropped by 12% and 13%, respectively, despite relatively stable levels of Mass attendance in the world’s 13 most Catholic countries.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: mclom -
Mar. 25, 2023 5:58 AM ET USA
I was worried for a while that Mr. Lawler was being myopic about the anomolies in the Pope's reign to date so was "cheered" to read this... Not good, and I ask, how long is the Pope going to get away with what seems to me, a housewife, to be a deliberate muddying of Church waters? His apparent refusal to condemn outright the German Synod feeds the anger of true Catholics everywhere although we know it is a sin to think like this. May God provide clarification soon!
