Record numbers of young people prepare to join Catholic Church in England over Easter

A record number of people are preparing to join the Catholic Church in England over Easter, with the rise particularly prevalent among young people.

The Diocese of Westminster reported that 800 adults presented themselves for election or recognition ahead of Easter, a 60% increase from the previous year - the highest total in 15 years.

The Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion (Recognition) are pivotal events in the Catholic Church, typically celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent. These rites signify the final stage of preparation for individuals seeking to enter the Catholic Church, before receiving the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil.

For the first time, the Diocese of Shrewsbury required two successive celebrations of the Rite of Election on the same afternoon, welcoming more than 171 adults.

The newly appointed Archbishop of Westminster, Archbishop Moth, described the gathering as “a powerful sign of the journey— a journey that will reach its high point in the new life of Baptism.”

Bishop Davies of the Diocese of Shrewsbury said: “This stream of new converts is evident across our Diocese and country and indeed across the western world.

“It is all the more remarkable because this new generation of converts have been drawn to the Church by no special initiative on our part, rather by the constancy of faith, the reverence of worship and the authentic witness they have found.

The Diocese of Southwark reports similar figures, with over 590 adults converting to Catholicism this year, its highest since 2011. Half of the converts aged 35 and under.

Nathan from Kent, speaking about his conversion, said: “When I was 20 I started going to churches of different denominations and started reading the Bible. One Sunday I went to a Catholic parish for Mass, and I was struck by the beauty and reverence of it… I soon felt at home in the Catholic Church.

“I was attracted to the authority and uniformity of the Church and found the rosary and Eucharistic Adoration drew me closer to the faith. I think Mary was leading me to the Church her Son founded as I prayed the rosary and it is amazing how we can have a relationship with the Mother of God as Catholics”.

Vonan, also from Kent, said: “What really touched me was the experience of the sacramental life of the Church – and in particular the catechism which allows me to learn more about the words of God”.

Mark Nash, the Director of the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis in Southwark, said: “We have seen successive years of growth, larger and larger numbers of people coming to the Rite of Election, but what thrills us most is hearing the individual stories of faith and conversion.

“Some, gathered at the Cathedral, have been pondering this step for decades; others have had a profound and unexpected experience of God’s presence. Some have been close to the Church for a while, others are coming from backgrounds of deep antagonism to Catholicism. It truly is a work of the Holy Spirit, and we are privileged to be cooperating with His work.”

In the Diocese of Nottingham, Birmingham and Leeds, the picture is much the same with hundreds set to join the Church in the coming month, with the rise particularly notable among young men and those identifying as “reverts” rediscovering their Catholic faith.

Archbishop Bernard Longley of the Diocese of Birmingham welcomed 295 new catechumens and candidates, expressing his joy at the “very happy problem” of needing additional space due to the number of people taking part in the celebration.

The Diocese of Westminster said: “Historically, candidates have outnumbered catechumens, but the gap has narrowed in recent years suggesting a consistent number of adults encountering the Catholic faith for the first time.”

Catechumens are unbaptised adults preparing for Baptism, while candidates are already baptised Christians seeking full communion with the Catholic Church.

The latest figures will add to debate over whether a ‘quiet revival’ of Christianity is taking place in the UK, particularly among young adults.