‘The Whole Church Rejoices’: London Reports …
LONDON — Two major English archdioceses whose jurisdictions cover most of London have registered record numbers of adults due to be received into the Catholic Church at Easter.
The archdioceses of Westminster and Southwark revealed the numbers at their respective rites of election on Feb. 21.
In a Feb. 21 statement, the archdiocese of Westminster said the 2026 group is the “fourth largest since diocesan records began in 1993 and the highest level of participation in fifteen years.”
It noted that “after declining during the pandemic, numbers have risen significantly, with strong participation across the Diocese” and that “this year’s cohort represents a 60% increase from 2025.” Almost 800 adults from more than 100 parishes across the Diocese took part.
The liturgical rite, which echoes biblical themes of divine choosing, rather than their own selection of the Church, includes those already baptized in non-Catholic denominations who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, as well as unbaptized catechumens.
At Easter, the new converts will receive the sacraments of initiation in their parish communities: Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
In his homily, Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster described the gathering of names in the cathedral as “a powerful sign of the journey you have been taking — a journey that will reach its high point in the new life of Baptism.”
The archbishop, who was installed as the 12th Archbishop of Westminster just a week earlier, reminded those preparing for Easter that their response reflects “the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit,” and encouraged them to root their lives in prayer and the Eucharist.
“The whole diocese, the whole Church, rejoices in the step you take today and prays for you,” he said.
Louise Walton, the archdiocese’s catechesis coordinator, said it was “wonderful to have so many people at the Rite of Election this year,” adding that the rite is “always a joyful, welcoming occasion as we celebrate with them, their sponsors, godparents, priests and catechists.” She added: “Every catechumen and candidate is moving into a deeper encounter with Christ and the Church, and, speaking as a catechist, it is a privilege to accompany them on that path.”
In the Archdiocese of Southwark, which covers a large geographical area including south London and Kent, 590 adults are to be received. In a statement, the archdiocese said it was “the highest number of converts since 2011” and that “for the third consecutive year” the archdiocese “will receive a significant number of adults into the Catholic Church.”
The data reveals that many of the converts are young: half are aged 35 and under, with 20% aged 18-25, but the conversions also span all generations. “The oldest catechumen is 81, and the oldest candidate is 88, showing it is never too late to embrace the Catholic faith,” the archdiocese said.
“Somehow, through someone, perhaps through many people, maybe over many years, the Gospel of Christ in his Catholic Church has touched your life and touched your heart,” said Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark in his homily. “So much so that you've come to this point, this threshold of seeking to belong fully to his Church through the sacraments. I can't tell you how joyful I am to see you all today.”
He added: “The power of your name is so important today, as you are called by name. You're not a number. You're not lost in the crowd. You're not unknown. Today, you are called by name.”
Archbishop Wilson said that in the Scriptures, “names really matter” and will “often signify characteristics of the person, or their mission, or their prophetic gifts. Your name means something special to Jesus. And today he calls you by name.”
Two converts, quoted in the statement, shared their reasons for becoming Catholic. Nathan from Kent said after attending Mass for some time in his parish he was “struck by the beauty and reverence of it,” that he “felt at home in the Catholic Church,” and that he was “attracted to the authority and uniformity of the Church.” He added that both the Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration drew him closer to the faith.
“I think Mary was leading me to the Church her Son founded as I prayed the Rosary and it is amazing how we can have a relationship with the Mother of God as Catholics,” he said. “I trust Jesus as the Lord of my life, in whichever direction he takes me.”
Vonan, also from Kent, said what really had an impact on her was the “experience of the sacramental life of the Church” and that she appreciated how the catechism allowed her to “learn more about the words of God.”
The archdiocese said the record numbers were partly due to the evangelization efforts of the Agency for Evangelization and Catechesis working closely with parishes, using a network of volunteers and assisting with evangelization, catechesis and formation.
Mark Nash, the agency’s director, said: “What thrills us most is hearing the individual stories of faith and conversion. Some, gathered at the Cathedral, have been pondering this step for decades; others have had a profound and unexpected experience of God's presence. Some have been close to the Church for a while, others are coming from backgrounds of deep antagonism to Catholicism. It truly is a work of the Holy Spirit, and we are privileged to be cooperating with his work.”
Reports over the past year have highlighted a discreet Catholic revival in Britain, with a noticeable rise in faith among young people, especially those born approximately between 1997 and 2012, otherwise known as Generation Z.
Once dismissed as the “iPhone generation,” Simon Caldwell, writing in the UK journal The Conservative Woman, said these digital natives are using the very tools that defined their hyper-connected, often anxious adolescence to explore religion online — and increasingly, it is the Catholic Church that captures their attention.