Catholics top a billion despite fall in priests

THE number of Catholics worldwide has exceeded one billion for the first time, according to figures released by the Vatican.

The report found despite the continuing fall in the number of priests there has been a noticeable increase in the number of students joining seminaries to study for the priesthood in Africa, South America and Oceania. Some 112,244 students studied for the priesthood in 2001, up from 110,583 in 2000.

The Vatican yearbook, titled Annuario Pontificio, also revealed the number of Catholics has reached 1.06 billion, up 1% on the previous year.