Paul Keenan
The number of Catholics worldwide grew by a massive 19 million between 2007 and 2008, new figures reveal.
At a time when the Church faces challenges posed by apparently unending abuse scandals and clerical and lay morale is low, there was reason to celebrate this week, with news that such events have not prevented a dramatic increase in Catholic numbers around the globe.
According to the Annuario Pontifico (Pontifical Yearbook) for 2010, released last weekend, which offers information on all 2,945 ecclesiastic districts in the Catholic Church, there was a surge in Catholic numbers to 1.166 billion to 2008. The figure represents 17.4% of the world's population.
The yearbook also reveals, despite claims of a vocations crisis, increases to clerical numbers.
The global number of bishops for 2008, at 5,002 represents a 1.13% increase on 2007, with only the Oceania region showing a decrease. Priests increased to 409,166 in the same year.
In terms of seminarians, while Europe experienced a slight decrease (4.3%), overall, there was an increase in new entrants to seminary, from 115,919 in 2007 to 117,024 in 2008.
Adding to the worldwide growth in Catholics last weekend was a group of 41 catechumens attended a Rite of Election ceremony at Dublin's Pro-Cathedral to seek seeking recognition to be initiated into the Catholic Church by receiving Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist in their parishes at the Easter Vigil. Three other former members of other Christian denominations also attended to seek reception into full communion with the Church. The Rite of Election takes place every year on the first Sunday of Lent.
Fr Damian McNeice, who acts as contact for Dublin's Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) described as ''a growing process'' the welcoming of people into the Catholic Church in the archdiocese.
''The parishes involved over the past number of years have found themselves greatly enriched by welcoming and accompanying people as they grow on their faith journey,'' he said.
''Their wanting to become one of us challenges us to live our faith in a more authentic way.
It challenges us too, not to take what we have received for granted, and to always be parishes that welcome and form people in prayer, the Scriptures, ongoing faith formation and social caring.''
Speaking at Sunday's ceremony, Archbishop Martin said: ''The Archdiocese of Dublin rejoices as it embraces this group of 41 men and women who have turned for Baptism and three who have asked to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.
''Jesus has touched your hearts and has sown within them a hunger and longing for participation in his special presence within his Church in the sacraments Christian initiation and in the Eucharist.''
