Large numbers join Catholic Church in East Anglia 

The number of candidates preparing to be received into the Catholic Church across England at Easter is at its highest level for 15 years, including in the Diocese of East Anglia.

On the First Sunday of Lent, February 22, the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich was filled to capacity as The Rt Rev Peter Collins, Bishop of East Anglia, led the Rite of Election and Affirmation for the Diocese of East Anglia.

This year’s celebration was marked by particularly large numbers. The cathedral was full with those preparing to be welcomed into the Church, accompanied by their godparents, sponsors, families and parish communities. Many more from across the diocese, unable to attend in person, are also preparing for reception into the Church at Easter.

A spokesman for the Diocese said: “The same encouraging pattern has been seen throughout the country, with dioceses across England and Wales reporting significant numbers at their own Rites of Election, a powerful sign of the Holy Spirit at work in our time.”

“The large numbers gathered at the Cathedral were a visible and heartening sign of growth and renewal within the Diocese of East Anglia. At a time when faith can often seem fragile in wider society, the sight of so many adults freely choosing Christ and his Church speaks of hope.”

During the Rite of Election, candidates make public commitments to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church in the final stage of their preparation. They will be fully received into the Church in their local churches during the Easter Vigil Mass.
 
Dioceses across the country are also reporting increases, with Shrewsbury Cathedral holding an additional service to accommodate record numbers of adults seeking baptism and admission into the Church.

The Diocese of Westminster has seen a 60% rise, with more than 800 adults from more than 100 parishes coming forward. It’s the fourth largest cohort since diocesan records began in 1993. The newly-installed Archbishop of Westminster, Most Rev Richard Moth, presided at this month’s Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at Westminster Cathedral.

The Diocese of Southwark is also reporting its highest number in 26 years, with 590 people coming forward to be received into the Catholic Church. 57% are women and half of the converts are aged 35 and under. Over 1,400 adults have converted to Catholicism in Southwark since 2024.

Read more here.

Pictured above is Bishop Peter Collins at St John’s Cathedral during the Rite of Election with candidates who made a public commitment to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Picture by RCDEA.