Ethan Walker
Catholicism is rapidly growing in Africa, with the continent adding the greatest number of Catholics in 2021 out of all the continents. In fact, in 2009, when Pope Benedict XVI visited Africa, there were an estimated 158 million Catholics in Africa. By 2021, this number had risen to 256 million, representing about 18% of the continent's population. This growth is particularly notable in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has the largest Catholic population in Africa, with 45 million adherents, and Nigeria, which has a Catholic population of around 32.5 million. These two countries alone generate 68 million weekly Mass-goers, outperforming the two biggest Latin American countries by about 20%.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Africa that is Catholic | 17% to 19% |
| Number of Catholics in Africa | 236 million |
| Percentage of global Catholic population that is African | 19% |
| Projected percentage of global Catholic population that will be African by 2050 | 32% |
| Number of Cardinals from Africa | 29 |
| Number of Catechists | 400,000 |
| Number of Diocesan Priests ordained in Africa in 2019 | 1600 |
| Percentage of Catholics in the Democratic Republic of Congo | 55% |
| Number of Diocesan Priests ordained in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2019 | 133 |
| Number of Diocesan Priests ordained in Nigeria in 2019 | 410 |
| Percentage of Catholics in Nigeria who attend Mass at least once a week | 94% |
| Percentage of Catholics in Kenya who attend Mass at least once a week | 73% |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic population in Africa: 256 million
Catholicism is growing in Africa, with the continent seeing the greatest increase in Catholics in 2021. According to figures released by the Vatican in October 2022, Africa has 256 million Catholics, which is an increase of 5.2 million since 2020. This represents about 18% of the continent's population and makes Africa the fastest-growing continent in terms of "recruiting" faithful, on par with South America.
The Catholic Church in Africa is part of the worldwide Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See in Rome. Christian activity in Africa began in the 1st century when the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Egypt was formed as one of the four original Patriarchs of the East. However, the Islamic conquest in the 7th century led to a decline in Christianity in Northern Africa. Despite this historical decline, the presence of the Catholic Church has grown in modern times, with Catholic Church membership in Africa rising from 2 million in 1900 to 140 million in 2000.
Africa is rapidly becoming the center of gravity of global Catholicism, with countries across the continent having extremely high rates of Mass attendance and vocations. The Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, is the fourth-largest country in Africa in terms of population and at 55% Catholic, it is one of the most Catholic countries on the continent. Nigeria, another country with a high Catholic population, has an estimated 32.5 million Catholics according to the Vatican, with 94% of those individuals attending Mass at least weekly.
The growth of Catholicism in Africa is also reflected in the increase in the number of priests and seminarians on the continent. In 2021, Africa had a net gain of more than 1,500 priests, the highest increase among all continents. Africa is also the only continent where the number of seminarians, including future priests, is increasing, with a gain of 1,282 in 2021. This growth in the number of priests and seminarians is in stark contrast to the decline in Europe, which saw a drop of 3,632 priests in 2021.
The rise of Catholicism in Africa has led some to view the continent as a laboratory for the future of the entire Church. Pope Francis has shown particular attention to Africa, visiting the heavily Catholic Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in 2023. The selection of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, can also be seen as symbolic of the Church's present and future, moving from the region of its past in Europe to the region of its future in Africa.
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Catholic population growth in Africa
The Catholic Church in Africa is part of the worldwide Catholic Church in communion with the Holy See in Rome. Christian activity in Africa began in the 1st century with the formation of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Egypt. However, the Islamic conquest in the 7th century led to a decline in Christianity in Northern Africa. Despite this historical decline, the presence of the Catholic Church in Africa has grown in modern times, with French colonization being one of the contributing factors.
The Catholic Church membership in Africa rose significantly from 2 million in 1900 to 140 million in 2000. In 2005, the Catholic Church in Africa, including Eastern Catholic Churches, counted approximately 135 million members out of the 809 million people in Africa. By 2009, when Pope Benedict XVI visited Africa, the number of Catholics was estimated at 158 million.
Africa has continued to experience notable growth in its Catholic population in recent years. According to Vatican statistics, Africa added the greatest number of Catholics in 2021 compared to other continents, with an increase of 8.3 million Catholics out of the continent's population growth of 40 million. This growth in the Catholic population stands in contrast to Europe, which has seen a decline.
The growth of Catholicism in Africa is evident in the increasing number of priests and seminarians on the continent. Africa is the only continent where the number of seminarians, including future priests, is on the rise. As of 2020, Africa had 29 Cardinals out of 222 worldwide, and it is expected that by 2025, one-sixth of the world's Catholics (approximately 230 million) will be Africans.
While the Catholic Church in Africa faces challenges such as tribal conflicts, religious syncretism, and the rise of Islamic militant groups, it also presents unique strengths. African Catholics emphasize their culture's commitment to community, family, religiosity, and the complementarity of the sexes. With its rapid growth and dynamism, Africa is seen as a pivotal part of Catholicism's future, and some even consider it a laboratory for the future of the entire Church.
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Mass attendance rates in Africa
Africa has seen a significant increase in its Catholic population in recent years, with the continent adding 8.3 million Catholics between 2020 and 2021. By the end of 2021, there were approximately 256 million Catholics in Africa, representing about 18% of the continent's population. This growth has been attributed to various factors, including the French colonization of several African countries and the pastoral attention given to the region by Pope Francis.
In comparison, other African countries have lower Mass attendance rates. For example, South Africa has a lower rate, with only 55% of Christians attending church regularly. The Democratic Republic of Congo, despite being the fifth-largest Catholic country in the world, has a relatively low percentage of its population identifying as Catholic (15%). However, due to its large population, the absolute number of Mass-going Catholics in the DRC is significant, placing it among the top three countries worldwide.
It is worth noting that Mass attendance rates may be influenced by various factors, including political instability and poverty, which can make data collection challenging. Additionally, self-reported attendance numbers may be inflated, and actual attendance may be slightly lower. Nonetheless, Africa has a far higher rate of Mass attendance in countries with large Catholic populations, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
Overall, Africa's Mass attendance rates reflect the continent's growing Catholic population and strong religious commitment. With the increase in priestly ordinations and the presence of influential African Catholic leaders, Africa is rapidly becoming the center of gravity of global Catholicism.
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Priestly ordinations in Africa
The Catholic Church in Africa is part of the worldwide Catholic Church and is in full communion with the Holy See in Rome. In the modern era, the presence of the Catholic Church has grown in Africa, with the continent gaining 8.3 million Catholics between 2020 and 2021. Africa is the only continent where the number of seminarians, which includes future priests, is increasing.
Africa produces a large percentage of the world's priests. In 2021, the number of priests in Africa increased by more than 1,500, making up for the loss of priests in Europe.
During the ordination of five Deacons as Priests for the Archdiocese of Maputo in Mozambique, a Prelate urged members of the Clergy to embrace a life of sacrifice and prayer. The Archbishop of Mozambique’s Nampula Archdiocese encouraged Priests to always seek to be authentic and closer to the people of God under their pastoral care.
In 2020, four priests were ordained in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The Holy Eucharistic celebration was led by His Eminence, Cardinal Philippe OUEDRAOGO, and Archbishop of Ouagadougou.
In Ghana, the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Keta-Akatsi encouraged three Deacons to see their ministerial Priesthood as a ministry that should bring them new life by becoming servant leaders. During the ordination of six Deacons to the Priesthood in Ghana’s Catholic Diocese of Ho, the ordaining Bishop invited those to become Priests to strive for leadership that seeks to guide the people of God entrusted to their care.
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Catholic seminaries in Africa
The Catholic Church in Africa is part of the worldwide Catholic Church and is in full communion with the Holy See in Rome. The presence of the Catholic Church in Africa has grown in modern times, with the continent adding the greatest number of Catholics in 2021 out of all continents. In 2021, there were 8.3 million Catholics in Africa, and by 2025, one-sixth of the world's Catholics are expected to be Africans. The world's largest seminary is in Nigeria, which borders Cameroon in western Africa, and Africa produces a large percentage of the world's priests.
Christian activity in Africa began in the 1st century when the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Egypt was formed as one of the four original Patriarchs of the East. However, the Islamic conquest in the 7th century resulted in a harsh decline for Christianity in Northern Africa. Despite this historical decline, there is evidence of Christian communities persisting in the region for centuries after the Islamic conquest. For example, there are records of a Christian community in Qal'a in central Algeria in 1114 and evidence of religious pilgrimages to tombs of Christian saints outside the city of Carthage after 850.
In more recent times, the French colonisation of several countries in Africa contributed to the growth of the Catholic Church in the region. Catholic Church membership in Africa rose from 2 million in 1900 to 140 million in 2000. In 2005, the Catholic Church in Africa, including Eastern Catholic Churches, counted approximately 135 million members out of the 809 million people in Africa.
The growth of Catholicism in Africa has been described as "surprising," and some view Africa as a laboratory for the future of the entire Church. The number of priests and seminarians, which includes future priests, is increasing in Africa. This growth has led to African missionaries evangelizing in the West, which has been met with some resistance. However, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu has emphasized that the fruits of missionary work in Africa should be welcomed by Western churches "without discomfort."
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2021, Africa has 256 million Catholics, which represents about 18% of the continent's population.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has the highest number of Catholics in Africa, with 45 million adherents.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is also the country with the highest percentage of Catholics, with 55% of its population being Catholic.
Nigeria, despite only having about 15% of its population being Catholic, is among the top 15 countries by Catholic population. Uganda, Tanzania, and Angola would also make the list if it were expanded by five more countries.
