– PUBLICATIONS

– THE FIGURES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE WORLD

78% OF THE WORLD’S CATHOLIC POPULATION LIVES OUTSIDE EUROPE

+16 MILLIONS OF CATHOLICS IN THE WORLD IN 2018 

I BISCHOPS

I PRIESTS

The total number of priests in the world also silghtly decreased reaching 414 065 (-517). The continent which registered a major decrease was again Europe(-2.675) follwed by America (-104). Increased were registered in Africa (+1.391), Asia (+823) and Oceania (+48).

I PERMANENT DEACONS

The number of permanent deacons in the world continue to increase to reach the number of 47 504. The highest increase was registred in America (+293), followed by Europa (+271).

I MEN AND WOMEN RELIGIOUS

The number of non-religious priests decreased for the sixth consecutive year, by 594 , to 50 941. The decreased in seen on all continent except . This trend is also confirmed for women religious to reach 641 661. An increase still once again in Africa (+2 220) and in Asia (+1 218), while decrease in Europa (-7 167), America (-3 253) and Oceania (–267).

I LAY MISSIONARIES AND CATECHISTS

The number of lay missionaries in the world is 376 188, with an increase of 20 388. Catechists in the world decreased to 3 076 624.

I MAJOR SEMINARIANS

Major seminarians, diocesans and religious this year increase of 522, to reach the number of 115 880, among which 69 959 major seminarians and 45 921 religious. Diocesan seminarians increases were registered only in Africa (+450), while decreases are registered in Europa (-653), America (-296) and in Asia (-227). Religious seminarians increase in Africa (+514), Asia (+581), America (+174) and Oceania (+73) while decrease in Europa (-43).

I CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION

In the field of education, The Catholic Church runs about 73 000 kindergartens with over 7 million pupils; 103 000 primary school with over 35 million pupils; 49 500 secondary school with over 19 million pupils.

I CATHOLIC CHARITY AND HEALTHCARE CENTRES

Charity and healthcare centres run in the world by the Catholic Church include 5 000 hospitals most of them in Africa and in America.; nearly 16.000 dispensaries for the major part in Africa, America and in Asia ; 577 Care Homes for people with Leprosy, mainly in Asia and in Africa; over 15 000 homes for elderly people or chronicallly ill or people with a disabilty, mainly in Europa and in America; 9.295 orphanage mainly in Asia; and a few tens thousand of institutions in the field of social care.

SOURCE : AGENCY FIDES OCTOBER 2019