The annual statistics, published in the Church's Yearly Book of Statistics, reveal noteworthy shifts in the distribution of the Catholic population.

The report indicates a robust expansion in Africa, Asia and the Americas. Those regions showed an increase of 8.3 million, 1.49 million and 6.6 million baptised Catholics respectively in 2021.

However, Europe witnessed a decline of 244,000 Catholics during the same period. Asia demonstrated significant growth, contributing to 11 per cent of the global Catholic population.

The centre of the Church is "moving away from Europe and toward Asia and Africa where there's vibrant growth" said Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen. Overbeck is Germany's delegate to the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union.

Clergy Dynamics

Worldwide, the clergy increased to 407,872 priests. This was highlighted by growth in Asia (1 per cent), Africa (3 per cent) and Oceania (0.2 per cent).

Europe and America however experienced declines of 2.2 per cent and 0.8 per cent respectively.

The global number of bishops declined, except in Africa, which added seven bishops in 2021.

However Asia saw a decline in bishops with 804, down by four from the previous year.

Seminarian numbers decreased in Asia but increased in Africa.

Educational and Charitable Initiatives in Asia

The report also sheds light on the Catholic Church's extensive educational and charitable initiatives in Asia. With around 1.3 million schools (kindergartens, primary, secondary and high schools), the Asian Catholic Church accounts for approximately 50 per cent of similar Catholic institutions worldwide.

Additionally, the Church serves around 13.9 million students across various educational levels.

In healthcare and social services, the Asian Catholic Church operates an estimated 12,208 institutions including hospitals, dispensaries, leprosy centres, homes for the elderly and disabled, orphanages and marriage counselling centres, serving millions in need.

Sources

UCA News

CathNews New Zealand

A massive blessing service event called "Love wins, blessing service for lovers" has been scheduled for May 10, in direct opposition to Rome's chief doctrinal office.

Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen said priests in his diocese will face no canonical consequence if they decide to bless gay and lesbian couples in the event.

"Love wins. Love is a blessing," says the website for the event. "People who love each other are blessed. On May 10th, 2021, we invite you to various places in Germany for blessing services.

"We don't want to exclude anyone. We celebrate the diversity of people's different life plans and love stories, and ask for God's blessings. Without any secrecy.

"On this page, you will find the services that take place. You can register for a service and send us a blessing."

Organizers also ask that on that day, Catholics in Germany use "creative symbols to make visible how many people in the Church perceive the colorful diversity of different life plans and love stories of people as an enrichment and a blessing."

Bishop Overbeck argued on Easter that there are "many blessings for gay couples" in Germany. He also said that the Catholic Church is not supposed to reject gay people. But it should "find ways for homosexuals to be able to live together."

Overbeck's stance is in direct opposition to a statement released by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on March 15 with papal approval.

The document, technically an answer to a question posed to the CDF, argues that the Church cannot bless same-sex unions because "God does not bless sin."

The response caused division both among the faithful and the hierarchy. This was highlighted in Germany, which is currently undergoing a synodal path to address the Church's response to clerical sexual abuse. At the same time, it is reviewing Church teaching on human sexuality, priestly celibacy and the ban on ordaining women into the priesthood.

While many bishops oppose the CDF's response, several high-ranking German prelates support the response. The group includes Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, Archbishop of Cologne; Bishop Stephan Burger of Freiburg; and Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg.

Sources

Crux Now

Reuters