New statistics show U.S. Catholics increase in numbers

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Washington D.C., Jun 5, 2009 / 02:57 am (CNA).- The 2009 Official Catholic Directory has released new statistics on the Catholic population. The directory shows that there are 68.1 million Catholics in the United States, an increase of about one million from the previous year which maintains Catholics as 22 percent of the U.S. population.

The directory, also known as the Kenedy Directory, reports that there are 41,489 diocesan and religious order priests, 60,715 religious sisters, 4,905 religious brothers and 16,935 permanent deacons. In 2008 there were 887,145 infant baptisms, 42,629 adult baptisms, and 81,775 baptized Christians who entered full communion with the Church. The Kenedy Directory lists 18,674 parishes, including 91 new parishes, and 189 seminaries with 4,973 students.

Over 722,000 students are in high school religious education programs, while over three million are in elementary school religious ed.

There are 6,133 Catholic elementary schools and 1.6 million students. The country’s 1,341 Catholic high schools educate over 674,000 students, while 234 Catholic colleges and universities serve, over 795,000 students.

U.S. Catholic hospitals number 562 and serve almost 85.3 million patients, while 3009 Catholic social service centers assist 27.2 million people annually.

According to a press release from the U.S. bishops' conference, Catholic organizations in the United States provide an estimated $28.2 billion in services through institutions represented by the Catholic Health Association ($5.7 billion), Catholic Charities USA ($3.5 billion), and the National Catholic Education Association ($19.8 billion).

These figures do not include assistance provided through parishes and other organizations such as the Knights of Columbus.

Comments: 16

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Albin
India 10/28/2009 06:58 AM EST

St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, came to India in 52 A.D., and landed at Kodungallur on the Malabar (presently Kerala) coast. He preached the Gospel to the Brahmin families of Kerala, many of whom received the faith. He established seven Churches there: Kodungallur, Kottakkavu, Palayur, Kollam, Kokkamangalam, Niranam and Chayil. It is also a tradition that he frequently visited Malayattoor hills for prayer. Later, he moved on to the east coast of India. He was martyred in 72 A.D. by a fanatic at Little Mount (near Madras) and his body was brought to Mylapore (near Madras) and was buried there. His tomb is venerated until this day.

Published by: Albin
India 10/28/2009 06:53 AM EST

Christianity came to India long before America was found out, and even before many European countries became Christian. Many people in the West are misinformed that Christianity in India is a European contribution. However, in fact, Christianity in India is as old as Christianity itself, and it was brought to India by a disciple of Christ himself. There are 25 million Christians in India which is just below 3% of the total population of the country. This number is slightly more than the entire population of Australia and New Zealand, or slightly below the total population of Canada, or total population of several countries in Europe. There are parts of India as heavily Christian as any part of Europe or America, e.g., Kerala, Goa, Misoram. Kerala has the largest number of Christians among the states. It is estimated that about 73% of the Christians in India are Catholics Kerala is the cradle of Christianity in India. 22% of the population of Kerala is Christian.There the Christians play a decisive role in the fields of education, social work and even in politics.In the educational field, the work of the Christians of Kerala has been noteworthy and it is due to their efforts together with that of the government and of other religious and cultural groups that Kerala became the leading state in India for literacy. Government of India, in 1990, declared that the state of Kerala is 100% literate. This is recorded in the Guinness Book.

Published by: H.J.D"Cruz
Karachi 06/23/2009 01:21 AM EST

The starving hungry people are greedy and want to find a pentacostal church to become rich overnight which they believe is a prosperity church giving little and taking lot in return.This deceitful way won't last for long. Catholc priest, nuns and lay people should have regular contact with catholics moving away from the church and make them aware they are being victims of prey and being bluffed.These pentacostal pastars are rich and own big landcrusars and villas by pretending their donors that they are helping the poor.

Published by: sam,
irving,tx 06/07/2009 07:35 PM EST

Steve from CT.,
I agree with you that this is a great article with encouraging numbers but it serves as a reminder that alot more need to be done.We need more people to come to our faith and sustain growth from within.But, i totally disagree with your effort to inject petty politics and deliberately lying and distorting about what Obama said.I watched and read the speech and never once did he say what you are alleging.Its one thing to disagree passionately with him ,but lets be truthful in what we say,otherwise we'll lose credibility.Every topic doesnt have and need to be about Obama bashing,especially when we make desperately sensational half-truths at the expense of seeking ways to evangelize and win more souls to christ.This is what this article is about,,more souls coming to Christ and thats more important than distasteful and almost extremist ranting about the President, all the while betraying the very christian values that we profess.We are catholics,,,and we can do better than just serve the daily worldly politik.

Published by: Alan
Islip/New York/USA 06/06/2009 11:43 PM EST

GET REAL!!!

The only reason there is growth is because of Catholic immigration from Mexico and South and Central America.

Catholics sadly dont even consider evangelization today. Once the Catholic immigration tap is stopped the USA will look like Europe. A Catholic wasteland.

Published by: Betty Barnes
New Orleans, LA 06/06/2009 08:05 PM EST

I keep reading otherwise, and that Catholics are slipping over to the Pentecostals, especially in S. America.

Published by: Leticia Velasquez
Canterbury, CT 06/05/2009 10:16 PM EST

It's true that Catholics would be decreasing if it were not for Latin American immigrants. American Catholics would be contracepting themselves out of existence like the Europeans are.
Now, if we would only vote and live like Catholics, we could save the morality of this nation!
Pray, pray, pray!!

Published by: T. Arden
SF, CA 06/05/2009 05:12 PM EST

"If it were not for the immigrants from Latin America, the actual number of Catholics would decrease rather than increase."
- Except we don't know how many uncounted illegals are Catholics.

Published by: T. Arden
SF, CA 06/05/2009 05:10 PM EST

68M. No wonder Obama has sought to divide Catholics and he has been successful.
In a way he is helping cull the heretics.

Published by: Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Angels Camp, CA, USA 06/05/2009 12:10 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

The number of adult baptisms and those entering into full communion with the Church are shameful.
This equates to one new adult member for every 547 Catholics.
The Catechism (1816) tells us that evangelization is necessary for salvation and yet most Catholics do not even attempt to win souls for Christ.
We Catholics have the truth and have hidden it under the bushel for far too long.
Most evangelization efforts are directed toward keeping Catholics Catholic.
While most Americans identify themselves as Christians, the majority do not have any religious affiliation.
While most bishops speak about evangelization, few have any organized programs directed toward the unchurched or lapsed Catholics.
I cannot help but wonder how many of the parishes that were closed last year, would have remained open through vigorous evangelization efforts.
When will Church leaders recognize that their primary responsibilities are evangelization, proper catechesis, and providing the sacraments.
Everything else is secondary.

Published by: steven
Roseville CA 06/05/2009 10:10 AM EST

thanks be to God for EWTN, Catholic Radio stations, Catholic Answers, and the other faithful apostolates! JPII Pray For Us!

Published by: Dan
Wash DC 06/05/2009 09:48 AM EST

We should not applaud the increase in numbers. The quality of Catholics is more important than the quantity. More than half of today's Catholics are liberal and pro-choice. We confirm all Catholic kids even they're knowledge of Catholicism is limited.... that is pathetic!

Published by: catherine KENNEDY
melbourne Australia 06/05/2009 06:34 AM EST

RE THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBERS OF USA CATHOLICS AS reported in the KENEDY DIRECTORY

That is such great news!
We are not surprised by this development at all! How uplifting and encouraging this news is to so many Catholics worldwide. Catholics that would both sincerely attest and recognise that the USA Church has such amazing , brave knowleagable leading (pro life clergy) that all truly inspire and guide their flock, not only re the pro life issues but many other intrinsically important issues as well! issues such as immigration, eduaction, care for the disabled, etc, all such issues that will impact on all Catholics well into the 21st century!
So Congratulations to all who helped boost the numbers of the one true faith, the one true Church.
Please Keep up the great and good work you all do in service for our Lord and his vast USA flock.
and lets hope and pray that this trend the increase in numbers is replicated on a large scale across the globe.

KENNEDY FAMILY
MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
WE HAVE MANY USA RELATIVES SO OF COURSE WE sincerely CARE FOR both the future direction and grwoth THE AMERICAN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRO LIFE CHURCH!

Published by: akinseye felix`
ondo/ondo/nigeria 06/05/2009 06:29 AM EST

it's really encouraging.i like the development.BRAVO catholic bishops in america!!!!!!!!!!!u are doing a wonderful job

Published by: Leander Dosch
Huntsville, Utah 06/05/2009 06:29 AM EST

The Directory's figures do not jibe with those of the American Religious Identification Survey, which found that a large number of Catholics are no longer practicing and profess no religion at all. If it were not for the immigrants from Latin America, the actual number of Catholics would decrease rather than increase.

Published by: STEVE
TRUMBULL/CT/USA 06/05/2009 05:56 AM EST

GREAT ARTICLE,TO BAD THAT PRESIDENT OBOMA DIDNT HAVE THIS INFORMATION YESTERDAY WHEN HE TOLD THE WORLD THAT THE USA IS A MUSLIM NATION.PEACE

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