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1.3 billion Roman Catholics recorded in 2021

Philippines | National

1.3 billion Roman Catholics recorded in 2021

By Christina Hermoso

A total number of 1.375 billion Roman Catholics around the world were recorded at the end of 2021, it was reported by the Vatican’s Fides News Agency.

St. Peter’s Basilica (Photo courtesy of the Catholic News Agency)

The record number is up 16.24 million compared to the total number of Catholics reported in 2020. There is however a decline in the number of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the report added.

The Fides News Agency released the report on Oct 22 during the Catholic Church’s observance of the 97th World Mission Sunday.

The increase in the number of Catholics was recorded in all continents particularly in Africa and America.

The news agency also noted a decrease of more than 2,000 in the number of priests from 407,872. About 900 were diocesan priests and 1,400 were religious priests.

The decline in the number of vocations to the priesthood has resulted in priests attending to the spiritual needs of more than 3,000 people in their respective communities, the report said.

The Fides News Agency also reported an increase in the number of permanent deacons to 49,176.

The same report showed that the Catholic Church maintains about 74,368 kindergarten schools with more than 7 million students; 100,939 primary schools with more than 34.7 million students; and 49,868 secondary schools attended by more than 19 million students.

The charity and health care centers maintained by the Church in different countries number about 5,405 hospitals and 15,276 home for the elderly, the sick and the disabled.

The report added that the Catholic Church has about 9,703 orphanage facilities spread in many countries particularly in Asia where 3,230 of the orphanage centers are located.

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