Survey analyses background of new Catholics

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Who are the new Catholics and what is their background? The recent rise in adults baptised or received into the Catholic Church has been analysed in a new survey by three leading academic researchers. Their findings were presented by Professor Francis Davis at a seminar hosted by Word on Fire at the recent We Believe festival, and at an earlier workshop organised by the Wessex Research seminar. The survey included those returning to the Church as adults.

The study was carried out by Professor Francis Davis in his role as Visiting Professor at St Mary's Catholic University in Twickenham, Professor Leslie Francis of Lincoln Bishop University, and Professor Andrew Village of York St John University. The survey asked an extensive range of questions regarding work, values, and religious background.

Professor Davis said: "At this point though our findings point not to a 'quiet revival' but to a flow of people between denominations - more 'denominational recycling' than some of the dramatic claims made by some. Most importantly it would seem that a good parish, a proactive parish priest and the kindness of acquaintances remain crucial to the journeys of those becoming Catholic or returning to the Church as adults."

Fifty-three percent of those surveyed had been baptised as infants. Of these 49% were Anglican, 29% Catholic, 6% Presbyterian and 6% Methodist. They tended to be urban, professional and educated: 57% came from a professional background, 15% were students, 6% were unemployed. Ninety per cent lived a town, a suburb, or an inner city area. Twenty-six per cent had postgraduate qualifications

Professor Francis said that while research into ethnicity was ongoing, there seemed to be significant numbers from Africa, Asia and China in particular. He added, "This reflects a finding in our recent survey where young, single, black, graduate women were disproportionately represented among the audiences of those attending the events of Bishop Robert Barron."

New Catholics also tended to be active, thoughtful and socially concerned.

· 79% said attending their local parish was really important to them.

· 83% had encountered Catholic social teaching as part of RCIA

· 27% knew CAFOD and 16% Aid to the Church in Need.

· Around a half were involved in some parish activity.

Asked, what attracted you and what are you involved with, 50% reported discontent with personal life and 21% with work life as a factor in their conversion but 90% reported it was a 'growing awareness of the presence of God' and 80% the experience of attending church services that had made the difference. Nearly half said that it was the Parish Priest that helped them take the final step to RCIA, but 27% said that the RCIA process had not been stretching enough.

Catholic teaching was important - but with qualifications: 68% said they thought 'Catholicism the fullest expression of Christianity', 56% put great importance on confession and 'hearing God speak to me', but only 39% thought 'being obedient to the Pope' highly important.

Professor Davis highlighted some practical and pastoral consequences of these initial findings.

· That highly educated new converts will likely in the future need more stretching modes of support in their formation

· That parish clergy and active parishes remain vital support and attraction locations for converts even when

· That new converts appreciate involvement, spirituality, devotion and social concern in not far off equal measure

· That ecumenical sensitivity and engagement is likely needed given the signs of a two way - or multiple channel - 'recycling' between denominations in this study and data elsewhere.

· While new arrivals in the Catholic community add to Catholic numbers and , theologically, they do not on their own evidence any kind of 'quiet revival' overall.

Professor Davis said: "There is much more work to be done to be able to present a fully textured account. We will want to compare to studies of Catholics who have left the Catholic Church for other denominations or altogether."