UK converts to Catholicism often already baptised: Study

The survey invited people across England, Scotland and Wales who were to be received fully into the Church at Easter this year to take part, asking participants questions relating to their background, values and liturgical preferences.

Professor Francis Davis, who presented his findings at the WeBelieve festival in Birmingham, highlighted the significance of more than half of participants in the survey being previously baptised, stating that instead of a “quiet revival” there was a “quiet transfer market”. It suggests that what appears to be a notable proportion of Generation Z coming to God may largely also reflect young Protestants coming to Catholicism.

Professor Davis said: “[I]t 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.”

Of the 53 per cent of the survey participants who were baptised, a plurality of 49 per cent were Anglican, making up the largest proportion of converts from other denominations. In contrast, just 29 per cent were baptised Catholics returning to the Faith. Methodists and Presbyterians each account for 6 per cent.

Eighty per cent of the 700 people surveyed said that the experience of attending Mass attracted them towards converting, with around 18 per cent listing a preference for Latin in the liturgy. Some 90 per cent of respondents cited a growing awareness of the presence of God as influencing their conversion.

The study, expected to be released later this year, also found that a majority of converts came from professional backgrounds, and were more likely than the general population to have postgraduate qualifications.

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New converts to Catholicism are often baptised Christians, study finds (By Corrie Douglas-Young/Catholic Herald – registration required)