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Rise in Korean Catholic numbers but less join sacraments

Those who went to confession recorded a 6 percent decrease over 2014. First Communion and Confirmation numbers also decreased.
Rise in Korean Catholic numbers but less join sacraments
Published: April 08, 2016 12:56 PM GMT
Updated: April 08, 2016 01:15 PM GMT

The number of Korean Catholics rose slightly in 2015 but fewer of them participated in the sacraments, according to church statistics released March 30.

As of Dec. 31, 2015, there were 5,655,504 Catholics in Korea, or 10.7 percent of whole Korean population, said statistics from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea. That figure was a growth rate of 1.7 percent from the previous year.

Figures reveal though that participation in the sacraments is falling. There were 116,143 baptisms in 2015, which was a 6.9 percent decrease over the previous year.

Marriage in the church recorded 19,012 cases, a 3.9 percent fall. Those who went to confession were counted to be 4,283,662, which is a 6 percent decrease over 2014. First Communion and Confirmation numbers were also decreased.

Meanwhile, the number of clergy in Korea totaled 5,129 including two cardinals, 38 archbishops and bishops, 4,909 Korean priests and 182 foreign priests. The number increased by 145 over 2014.

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