EUROPE/ITALY - Jesuits in the world 19,216: latest statistics confirm constant general decline in numbers but slight increase in Africa and Asia-Oceania

Tuesday, 12 June 2007

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - According to information supplied by the General Curia of the Society of Jesus, 1 January 2007, there are a total number of 19.216 Jesuits in the world: 13.491 priests (- 248 than in 2006), 3.049 scholastics (- 41), 1.810 brothers (- 56) and 866 novices (- 19). The overall decline in numbers compared to the previous year, 1 January 2006, is therefore of 364 members. Last year 486 new members joined (530 on 1 January 2006), 472 members died and 378 left the Society. According to the General Curia, “this is the highest drop in numbers in the past 20 years”. On 1 January 2007 the average age of the Jesuits was 57,34 years: 63,40 years for the priests, 28,89 years for scholastics and 65,54 years for brothers.
Looking at the geographical distribution we see: Africa with 1.430 Jesuits (an increase of 4 units compared to last year): 726 priests, 128 bothers, 443 scholastics, 133 novices; Latin America with 2.887 Jesuits (82 units less than in 2006): 1.928 priests, 340 brothers 504 scholastics, 115 novices; North America with 2.952 Jesuits (80 units less): 2.509 priests, 163 brothers, 208 scholastics, 72 novices; Southern Asia with 4.018 Jesuits (4 units less): 2.379 priests, 271 brothers, 1.093 scholastics, 275 novices; in East Asia/Oceania with 1.672 Jesuits (7 units less): 1.135 priests, 110 brothers, 330 scholastics, 97 novices; central Europe with 732 Jesuits (17 units less): 610 priests 59 brothers, 43 students, 20 novices; southern Europe with 2.448 Jesuits (80 units less): 1.763 priests, 466 religious, 157 scholastics, 62 novices; Western Europe with 1.958 Jesuits (79 units less): 1.644 priests, 155 brothers, 123 scholastics, 56 novices; Easter Europe with 1.119 Jesuits (19 units less): 797 priests, 118 brothers, 148 scholastics, 56 novices.
The figures show an overall drop in the number of Jesuits on every continent except Africa, where the priests, scholastics and novices increase and only the brothers decrease. Priests decrease (-85 United States of America, -73 Western Europe, -60 in southern Europe), they increase in Africa (+3) and Southern Asia (+30). Brother decrease on all continents except East Asia -Oceania (+4). Scholastics increase in Africa (+3), East Asia -Oceania (+16), United States (+18). Novices increase in Africa (+7), southern Europe (+13), Western Europe (+2), Easter Europe (+4).
An important part of the universal mission entrusted to the Society is undertaken by the so called “Case Romane” directly dependent on the Father General (Curia, Gregorian University, Istituto Biblico, Istituto Orientale, Osservatorio Vaticano, Vatican Radio, "La Civiltà Cattolica", other residences and houses of formation). The members of these houses, who continue to belong to their province of origin, in 2006-2007 are 446 (3 Cardinals, 368 priests 45 scholastics and 30 brothers). Of these 446 members, 128 are students. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2007; Righe 36; Parole 510)


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