2010-02-20 12:55:12

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.







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