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The Church Today. Fr. Amado Picardal, CSsR, STD. Vital Statistics: Church Membership. There are over 1.045 billion Catholics all over the world. (16.6 % of the world’s population). Over 680 million (68%) Catholics are found in the Third World (Latin America, Africa, Asia).
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The Church Today Fr. Amado Picardal, CSsR, STD
Vital Statistics: Church Membership • There are over 1.045 billion Catholics all over the world. (16.6 % of the world’s population). • Over 680 million (68%) Catholics are found in the Third World (Latin America, Africa, Asia)
5 Largest Catholic Population Brazil 147.3 million (79.9%) Mexico 122.2 million (87.8%) Philippines 70.9 million (81.9%) U.S.A. 63.2 million (22.5%) Italy 57.7 million (97.3 %)
Vital Statistics: Church membership • From 1997 to 2000, Church membership of all the world increased by 39.8 million • The number of Catholics in America increased by 23.6 million, Africa by 17.1 million, Asia by 2.1 million • The number of Catholics in Europe declined by 3.1 million
Vital Statistics: Church Personnel (as of 2000) • Bishops: 4,541 • Priests: 405, 178 (265,781 diocesan) • Permanent Deacons: 27,824 • Non-ordained male religious: 55,057 • Female religious: 801,185 • Members of Secular Institutes: 30,687 • Lay missionaries: 126,365 • Catechists: 2,641,888
Statistics: Clergy (405,178) • From 1997 to 2000, the total number of priests throughout the world increased by 970. • The total number of diocesan priests actually increased by 2,260 but the number of religious priest decreased by 1,290. • In Africa, the number of priests increased by 1,886; in America by 1,626 and in Asia 1,927 (total increase in these three continents: 5,439) • However, in Europe the number of priests decreased by 4,739 during that period.
Statistics: Female Religious • As of 2000, there were 801,185 female religious. • From 1997 to 2000, the number of Female Religious all over the world decreased by 18,091. • The number of sisters actually increased in Africa (by 2,729) and in Asia (10,226). • But they decreased in Europe (22,367) and in America (7,872).
Statistics: Seminarians • As of 2000, there were 110,583 major seminarians and 106, 859 minor seminarians. • From 1997 to 2000, the total number of major seminarians increased by 2,566. The minor seminarians increased by 649. • All the continents registered an increase in the number of seminarians except Europe (decreased by 977 for the major and 2,574 minor)
Statistics: Catechists • As of 2000, there were 2,641,888 catechists all over the world. • From 1997 to 2000, the number of catechists increased by 634,867 • All the continents registered a tremendous increase in the number of catechists. • The continents of America, Africa and Asia have the largest number of Catechists
Major Trends in the Catholic Church • A vibrant and dynamic Church is emerging in the Third World • The European Church which was the ecclesial center of gravity for so many centuries is in decline. • Lay people are actively participating the life and mission of the Church • The emergence of Basic Ecclesial Communities in the Third World • The growth and expansion of renewal movements
A Prophetic Church The Church has become more prophetic (involvement in peace, justice and integrity of creation) • The Pope as a foremost prophetic leader in the World – speaking out against communism and liberal capitalism, the debt problem, abortion, war, injustices, etc. • Bishops’ Conferences all over the world taking stand on social issues. • Clergy and lay people becoming more active in peace and justice advocacy.
A Servant Church • Religious Congregations devoted to social service • An extensive network for Social Service (Caritas, social action centers, refugee aid, hospitals, etc.) • Programs for Justice & Peace, socio-economic development, etc. • Catholic Funding agencies for development in the Third World (Misereor, Missio, Swiss Lenten Fund, etc)
Implementing Vatican II • The Church under the leadership of John Paul II continues to implement the spirit of renewal began in Vatican II. • There are traditional Catholics who continue to resist and regard change as a Modernist heresy. • There are the liberals who are impatient with the pace of change and are even calling for Vatican III
Issues in the Church • The sex scandals especially in North America and Europe • The clamor for optional celibacy and women’s ordination especially in Europe and North America (“We are the Church Movement”) • Centralization versus developing the local Churches (the Roman Curia & the Bishops’ Conference)
Vital Statistics: Church membership • There are 70.8 million Catholics in the Philippines (81.9%) • Only 15% are regular church goers • The rest are seasonal or occasional members (KBL, Christmas/Holy Week) • The nominal Catholics – baptized, but not evangelized or living actively as disciples.
Personnel • 83 dioceses • 7,299 Priests (the ratio of priest to the Catholic population is 1:10,000) • 10,588 Religious sisters • 5,720 male religious Numerous lay leaders, catechists, lay pastoral workers, lay missionaries, BEC leaders, etc. (The secret weapon of the Philippine Church)
Significant Trends in the Church • The emergence of Basic Ecclesial Communities (pastoral priority in over 60 dioceses) • The rise of renewal movements (Charismatics, Couples for Christ, El Shaddai, BLD, etc.) • The increasing lay involvement in the life and mission of the Church • The active participation of young people in various movements, communities, & church activities.
The Prophetic & Servant Church The involvement of the Church in social transformation. • Toppling a dictator & corrupt president (EDSA I & II) • Social Action apostolate • Charity/Development work • Peace building (BUF, evacuation centers, peace zones/sanctuaries)
Issues/Challenges • Sex scandals (2 bishops, clergy) – CBCP protocol • Lifestyle of the clergy – PCP II call to be a Church of the Poor • Greater lay participation in the decision-making process in the church – parish pastoral councils, diocesan assemblies, etc. • Renewed commitment of the clergy and lay people to social transformation, peace & development.
Continuing Renewal of Church & Philippine Society • The Church in the Philippines continues to implement the renewal mandated by Vatican II and PCP II. • The Church continues the journey towards a new way of being Church • A community of Disciples • That live in communion • Participating in the mission of Christ as a prophetic, priestly and servant community • A Church of the Poor
Conclusion • The Church in the world in and in our country continue to thrive amidst the challenges posed by contemporary situation and in spite the weaknesses within. • It remains vibrant and dynamic as it continues the mission Christ has entrusted to her: to proclaim the Good News to whole world and build up the community of disciples.
The End Script writer Producer Director