Record number of new Catholics to join Australian archdiocese Number of adult converts and reverts increasing in last five years across nation, says top Church leader {Catholic caucus}

Union of Catholic asian news ^ | William j. Grimm

[Cronos]

The Archdiocese of Sydney in Australia will welcome record numbers of catechumens and candidates who seek full communion with the Catholic Church ahead of Easter this year.

Across the archdiocese, 338 people will be baptized at the Easter Vigil, with an additional 119 to be welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church, says a press release from the archdiocese.

Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney described the large number of people joining the Catholic Church as “a profound sign of the growth and vitality” in the Church in Sydney and proof that the “Holy Spirit is alive and active.”

The numbers set a new record of catechumens and candidates and sustained the steady increase seen over the past six years.

The number of catechumens has increased by 35% in one year, while the number of candidates for full communion increased by 95%.

“That’s not just happening here in Sydney but in many parts of the world right now, as more and more people say their Yes to God,” Archbishop Fisher told the congregation on Feb. 23, at the Rite of Election, or the enrollment of the names of the candidates.

“There are many other signs of this, even if there are contrary declines at the same time. Each of you today, having examined the terms and conditions, is about to say, 'I’m in — even if some of this Christian thing is pretty demanding,'” he said.

Archbishop Fisher thanked 222 catechists who have accompanied the catechumens and candidates in their preparation, calling their service “a great blessing.”

Erected in 1842 by Pope Gregory XVI, the Archdiocese of Sydney is one of the oldest and largest Catholic dioceses in Australia. As of 2020, the archdiocese had an estimated 667,000 Catholics.

Catholics in Australia account for more than five million or about 20 percent of the national population, according to the latest national census in 2021.

Last May, Archbishop Fisher told Sydney Catholic Business Network that Australia has been experiencing “the second spring” of Catholic faith, with the number of adult Catholic converts and reverts increasing in the last five years.

Fisher added that the Sydney Archdiocese has recorded 26 percent growth in the number of adult converts for five consecutive years.

Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney described the large number of people joining the Catholic Church as “a profound sign of the growth and vitality” in the Church in Sydney and proof that the “Holy Spirit is alive and active.”

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TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events
KEYWORDS: australia; catholicism; resurgence

[Cronos]

Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney described the large number of people joining the Catholic Church as “a profound sign of the growth and vitality” in the Church in Sydney and proof that the “Holy Spirit is alive and active.”

[PUGACHEV]

One of the reasons for this is that anyone who can will want to avoid sending their children to public schools in Australia, and Catholic Schools there are the gold standard in primary and secondary education. The demand for a Catholic education there is so great that the schools are very selective and reserve admission to members of their own flock.