EUROPE/ITALY - 10,590 Capuchins in 104 nations; largest number of novices in Asia and Oceania

Rome (Agenzia Fides) – According to statistics updated on December 31, 2008, there are a total of 10,590 Capuchins worldwide, 96 fewer than in 2007. Here are some details: Number of Postulants: 558, Novices: 363, Temporarily Professed: 1726, Perpetually Professed: 8864 (priests 6855, permanent deacons: 14, lay brothers: 3482, Archbishops and bishops: 89 of whom one is a Cardinal). The Capuchins are present in 104 countries and there are 1305 brothers in Africa (+2 over 2007); Latin America: 1755 (-28); North America: 720 (-2); Asia- Oceania: 2152 (+43); Western Europe: 3874 (-107); Eastern Europe: 783 (-5). The universal fraternity is established in 83 Provinces, 9 general Viceprovinces, 19 Vice-provinces, 17 Custodies, 7 Delegations, 24 Houses of Presence and 13 Conferences of Major Superiors. The largest number of Novices is in Asia and Oceania (125), followed by South America (95), Africa (78), Western Europe (27), Eastern Europe (23), and North America (15). (SL) (Agenzia Fides 17/6/2009)