EUROPE/ITALY - There are 19,564 Jesuits in the world: statistics confirm falling numbers of priests and brothers, slight rise in numbers Africa, Asia and Oceania

Tuesday, 9 May 2006

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Rome (Fides Service) - According to statistics compiled by the General House of the Society of Jesus on 1 January 2006 there were 19,564 Jesuits in the world, (13,735 priests - 231 less than in 2005) 3,067 scholastics (+ 13), 1.865 Brothers (- 56) and 897 novices (- 12). A total 286 less members than on 1 January 2005. In the past twelve months 530 new members joined, 478 died and 338 left the Society. The General House says latest data confirms tendency registered in the past 16 years. January 1, 2006 average age 57.18 years: 63.93 years for priests, 29.11 years for scholastics and 66.81 years for brothers.
With regard to the geographical distribution, in Africa there are 1,429 Jesuits (+ 108 units compared to last year): 724 priests, 138 Brothers, 440 scholastics, 127 novices; in Latin America there are 2,957 Jesuits (less 60 units compared to 2005): 1.948 priests, 352 Brothers, 518 scholastics, 139 novices; in North America there are 3,034 Jesuits (less 183 units): 2,597 priests, 166 Brothers, 190 scholastics, 81 novices; in southern Asia there are 4,035 Jesuits (+ 32 units): 2,345 priests, 279 Brothers, 1,126 scholastics, 285 novices; in East Asia-Oceania there are 1,663 Jesuits (+ 10 units): 1,159 priests, 104 Brothers, 290 scholastics, 110 novices; in central Europe 746 Jesuits (less 27 units): 618 priests, 62 Brothers, 46 students, 20 novices; in southern Europe 2,527 Jesuits (less 59 units): 1,823 priests, 483 Brothers, 172 scholastics, 49 novices; in western Europe 2,037 Jesuits (less 88 units): 1.717 priests, 161 Brothers, 125 scholastics, 34 novices; in eastern Europe 1,137 Jesuits (less 18 units): 805 priests, 120 Brothers, 160 scholastics, 52 novices.
An important part of the universal mission entrusted to the Society is carried out by the Houses in Rome directly dependent on the Father General (General House, Gregorian University, Istituto Biblico, Istituto Orientale, Vatican Observatory, Vatican Radio, "La Civiltà Cattolica", other hostels and formation houses). The 446 members of these houses who still belong to their original provinces and in the year 2005-2006 are: (3 cardinals, 374 priests, 39 scholastics and 30 Brothers), of these 446 members, 118 are students. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/5/2006; Righe 27; Parole 375)