Surge in people reaching out to Catholic Enquiry Centre

The CEC received 354 enquiries in the six months from January to June this year, with 70 per cent coming from individuals. Last year, 322 enquiries were received, with 58 per cent being from individuals.   

Many of the enquiries this year are from individuals personally searching for faith. People are reaching out to ask questions, explore Christianity, return to the Church or enquire about becoming Catholic, the CEC stated in a Facebook post.

Among the messages the CEC received through social media this week are, “I am wanting to return to the faith after 32-year absence”; “What version of the Bible do Catholics read from?”; “Is Catholicism is a religion after Christ or during Christ?”; “I am a Protestant who is enquiring about the Catholic faith.”; “Do you keep the Sabbath holy?”

The CEC said the rising number of enquiries is “exciting”, but added “it also means there’s plenty to do!”

“With so many resource orders to prepare and send, we’ve needed to recruit extra volunteers – and we are so grateful for their generous support.”

The increasing number of individual enquiries suggests “growing awareness of the Catholic Enquiry Centre and increasing openness to the faith”.

“Many practising Catholics also contact us seeking resources and support to help families, friends and others explore the Catholic faith.”

Notable increases in the number of pastoral enquiries and resource requests this year have been observed in Auckland and Hamilton Dioceses, as well as in Wellington Archdiocese.

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Facebook (Catholic Enquiry NZ)