Catholicism “of conviction”. USA, France and Portugal. And it seems that illness and grief are essential – just like COVID-19.
“The number of people converting to the Roman Catholic Church is increasing surprisingly.”
The phrase begins an article published last week, about the growth of people who started going to church, or who chose to be baptized.
Growth has been significant in several dioceses across the US: Detroit, Los Angeles, Phoenix, or smaller places like Gallup and Allentown. All with (much) more Catholics this Easter.
Reasons: desire to integrate a community, social and political instability, need to reach young people and technological changes. And, above all, COVID-19 and technologies. Two essential elements that isolated people – who now need to be with… people again.
Em France, More than 21 thousand people chose to be baptized precisely this Saturday night, on the eve of Easter. It’s a new record.
The main reason is presented, according to surveys carried out by French churches: illness or bereavement (40% of respondents). “New Catholics” seek comfort – or gratitude – in sensitive personal moments.
Other reasons mentioned: looking for answers about Christianity (34%), for a strong spiritual experience (32%), reading the Bible (22%) or the impulse given by testimony from Christian friends (19%).
Back in the USA, he added this Thursday that the young adults (in their 20s or 30s) are being attracted to the Catholic Church. Why “they are looking for truth, beauty and, yes, girlfriends”.
Em Portugal, last year highlighted that the number of Catholic baptisms is increasing: almost 59 thousand in 2023, practically 2 thousand more than a decade before.
All this official data was compiled by João Miguel Tavares, in . The chronicler suggests that the Christianity in general may even be in fashion.
There is an apparent interest in religion, especially among younger people – who try to escape so much stimulus, so much noise, and seek existential meaning. Maybe peace, tranquility.
“The Catholicism of tradition is being replaced, little by little, by a Catholicism of conviction. Later, less numerous, but much more substantial. Made by people who seek meaning in their lives through the beauty of words, the depth of the rite and the feeling of belonging to a community”, analyzes João Miguel.
