Statistics of the Catholic Church: a clear regression in Europe

On October 24, 2005, Fides Agency published the statistics of the Catholic Church as of December 2003. The percentage of Catholics in the world has increased by 0.3% in one year, thus making up 17.23% of the world population. The only diminution, like the preceding year, was registered in Europe with –214,000 faithful (-0.31%).

The number of priests increased by 392 in the world, thus reaching a total of 405,450. It increased most in Africa (+1,145) and in Asia (+1,010); in Europe it went down by 1,897.

The number of permanent deacons increased by 1,427 to a total of 31,524 in the world with +1,075 in America and +336 in Europe. The number of major seminarians both diocesan and religious has diminished by 826 for a total of 112,373 candidates in the world. Minor seminarians both diocesan and religious have also diminished by 1,411 for a total of 98,372.