More than 10,300 adults and 7,400 teenagers will be baptized in France this year during the Easter Eve liturgy. This is an increase of more than 5 000 people (up to 45 percent) compared to the erstwhile year. It besides confirms the trend observed over the last 5 years. Never before has the Catholic Church in France noticed so many catechumens.
On Thursday, April 10, the evidence data was published by the Conference of the Episcopal of France.
In 2 years, the number of catechumens has doubled. Thirteen dioceses even saw an increase of more than 100 percent, whether urban, agrarian or average - sized environments. On the another hand, eleven tiny dioceses experience a slight decline, but these numbers do not change the overall trend.
The most dynamic age group are young adults, especially at the age of 18-25. presently 4,000 of them are asking for baptism – twice as many as a fewer years ago. The diocese of Saint-Denis in Paris, with 66% increase in requests for baptism in this age category, is peculiarly distinguished.
There was besides a sharp increase in the number of students: they now account for 26 percent of catechumen, compared to 17 percent 5 years ago. It is noteworthy that the most many people in the working class are represented – 36% of adults preparing for baptism come from this environment.
With respect to spiritual background, more than half of the catechumens grew up in the Christian household tradition, but were not baptized as children. But 18 percent received no spiritual education. About 550 people come from another religions, including 4% from Muslim traditions and 1% from another religions specified as east traditions, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Mormons.
A large survey conducted by Famille Chrétienne and the Aleteia portal among almost 900 catechumens showed that 73 percent of respondents were between the ages of 17 and 35, with 44 percent being little than 25 years old, and this figure is increasing rapidly. Almost 2 thirds of them say that they were not raised in a spiritual family, and half admit that they have discovered religion on their own. Holy Mass is simply a key step in their path: 83 percent of them participated in it even before joining the catechumenate, frequently alone (42%), although 76 percent admits that they do not yet realize all the rites. Social networks play an crucial function in their development: 78 percent say they are influenced and 84 percent follow influencers or creators of Christian content. After baptism, their commitment remains strong: 95 percent want to proceed practicing faith, and 57 percent want to share their religion with another Christians, 38 percent anticipate spiritual direction, and 27 percent want to deepen their knowing of Holy Mass and the foundations of faith.
Source: KAI
RoM
