Presentation to the Holy Father Pontifical Yearbook 2010
(February 20, 2010) The world catholic Population has shown an increase of 1.7 percent
from 1.15 billion to 1.17 billion, an increase of 19 million, from 2007 to 2008, according
to the Annuarium, the Pontifical Year Book 2010. This was presented to the Holy Father
on Saturday morning, 20 February 2010, by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of
State, and Archbishop Fernando Filoni, substitute of the Secretariat of State for
Global Affairs. The Statistical data, for the year 2008, provide a summary analysis
of main trends concerning the Catholic Church in 2945 ecclesial territories. During
that year the Holy Father created 8 new Episcopal sees and 1 Prelature. One Prelature
was elevated to a diocese and 3 Prefectures to Apostolic Vicariate. In all 169 new
bishops were appointed. Between 2007 and 2008 the number of bishops has increased
by 1, 13% from 4946 to 5002. There has been a one percent increase in the number
of priests, both diocesan and religious, during the period 2000 to 2008. The increase
has been from 405,178 in 2000 to 408,024 in 2007 and 409,166 in 2008. Europe in 2008
had 47.1% priests, American 30%, Asia 13.2%, Africa 8.7% and Oceania 1, 2%. The religious
sisters, who were 801,185 in 2000, decreased gradually to739, 067 in 2008. Europe
has 40.9% share of religious sisters, and America 27.5% which showed a steady decline
while in Africa and Asia there has been significant increase of 21.2% and16.4 % respectively.
Globally, the number of candidates for the priesthood has increased from 115,919 in
2007 to 117,024 in 2008. Overall, in two years there has been a rate increase of about
1%. This relative change was positive in Africa, Asia and Oceania showed an increase
while Europe and America showed a decline.