New U.S. Catholic directory shows decline in sacramental practice

Published: 2005-07-01

NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J. (CNS) -- The number of U.S. Catholics rose last year but the church registered declines in sacramental practice, according to figures in the 2005 Official Catholic Directory. The 2,050-page directory, also known as the Kenedy Directory after its New Jersey publisher's imprint, lists all parishes, missions, schools, hospitals and other Catholic institutions in the United States and its possessions. It also lists all ordained clergy and gives statistical data on the church by diocese and nationally. At the start of 2005, there were 67,820,833 Catholics, an increase of about 560,000 over the previous year, the directory said. However, fewer infant baptisms, first Communions, confirmations and church-recognized marriages were recorded last year than the year before.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .