‘The Whole Church Rejoices’: London Reports Largest Easter Convert Group in 15 Years
The London archdioceses of Westminster and Southwark record their highest number of adults entering the Church at Easter since 2011.
LONDON — Two major English archdioceses whose jurisdictions cover most of London have registered record numbers of adults due to be received into the Catholic Church at Easter.
The archdioceses of Westminster and Southwark revealed the numbers at their respective rites of election on Feb. 21.
In a Feb. 21 statement, the archdiocese of Westminster said the 2026 group is the “fourth largest since diocesan records began in 1993 and the highest level of participation in fifteen years.”
It noted that “after declining during the pandemic, numbers have risen significantly, with strong participation across the Diocese” and that “this year’s cohort represents a 60% increase from 2025.” Almost 800 adults from more than 100 parishes across the Diocese took part.
The liturgical rite, which echoes biblical themes of divine choosing, rather than their own selection of the Church, includes those already baptized in non-Catholic denominations who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, as well as unbaptized catechumens.
At Easter, the new converts will receive the sacraments of initiation in their parish communities: Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
In his homily, Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster described the gathering of names in the cathedral as “a powerful sign of the journey you have been taking — a journey that will reach its high point in the new life of Baptism.”
The archbishop, who was installed as the 12th Archbishop of Westminster just a week earlier, reminded those preparing for Easter that their response reflects “the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit,” and encouraged them to root their lives in prayer and the Eucharist.
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In a troubled world with so much bad news, this is the kind of good news we need to hear more than ever. Thank you for sharing this! Very uplifting.
"...The liturgical rite, which echoes biblical themes of divine choosing, rather than their own selection of the Church, includes those already baptized in non-Catholic denominations who are seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, as well as unbaptized catechumens..."
Pray for these converts, for the devil will send them strong delusions making them doubt their conversions. Dont know the church politics in Great Britain but in America once you convert you are left to your own devices, hence why many fall away. They fell in love with the Church in writing but in reality it pales in comparison with what they sometimes witness. Many are called , but few follow. (Interesting how the article gives percentages and not a real headcount.)