France: 4,251 Adults Baptized
During the Easter vigil of 2019, 4,251 adults were baptized in the churches of the dioceses of France. A figure that has stabilized for two years after a significant increase over a decade, similar to the new converts’ profile.
Each year the National Service for Catechesis and Catechumenate (SNCC) collects statistical data on adults baptized during the Easter celebration. Several constants have emerged.
Half of the catechumens are in the 25-40 age group, 23% in the 18-25 age group. There is a greater proportion of women than men among new converts: 2/3 women versus 1/3 men.
Their geographical distribution is similar to that of French society: 80% are city dwellers and 20% live in the country. As for the socio-professional distribution, 40% of persons baptized during the Easter vigil come from the category of “working class, technicians and employees.”
Regarding their religious origins, 54% of the new converts come from a family with Christian roots. The percentage of Muslims coming to the Catholic faith has fluctuated for more than ten years between 4 and 7% (6% for 2019).
Since 2016, the SNCC has noted an increase in the rate of those who declare that they do not come from any religious tradition (23.3% this year). Note that the rate of converts from Judaism is very marginal: less than 1%.
Finally, if we look at the number of converts by ecclesiastical province, we see that while Paris and Lyon are the most represented, it is Rennes, with its 303 newly baptized, that climbs into third place. A sign that religious tradition remains alive in Brittany.
The figures provided by the dioceses do not count the 1,885 adolescents who were baptized during the year (between Easter 2018 and Easter 2019).
(Source: Zenit/SNCC/French Bishops’ Conference - FSSPX.Actualités – 04/27/2019)
