590 Adults Flood Into the Catholic Church in England Smashing Records Not Seen in Over a Decade

Record Number of Adults Prepare to Enter the Catholic Church in England as Conversions Surge

More than 590 adults were welcomed at the Rite of Election ceremony at St George's Cathedral in Southwark on February 21, 2026, marking the highest number of converts in a single year since 2011, when the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham was established.

Archbishop John Wilson presided over the ceremony, where catechumens (those not yet baptised) and candidates (those entering from other Christian traditions) had their names read aloud and professed their desire to be received into the Catholic Church. When including parishes not participating in the ceremony, the total exceeds 600.

The demographic data reveals a notably young movement: 50% of those preparing to enter the Church are aged 35 and under, 37% are under 30, and 20% are between 18 and 25. Women make up 57% of the group, while men account for 43%. The oldest catechumen is 81 years old, and the oldest candidate is 88.

Somehow, through someone... the Gospel of Christ in His Catholic Church has touched your life. You are called by name... You're not a number.

Those were the words of Archbishop Wilson as he addressed the packed cathedral. Converts came from 112 parishes across South London and Kent, up from 97 parishes in 2025, signaling an expanding reach of evangelisation across the Archdiocese of Southwark.

Nathan, a convert from Kent, shared his testimony:

I was struck by the beauty and reverence of it... I soon felt at home in the Catholic Church.

Vonan, also from Kent, added:

What really touched me was the experience of the sacramental life of the Church.

Over the past three years, approximately 450 people completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) each of the previous two years, bringing the three year total to more than 1,400 adults received into the Church.

Catholic Conversions in England Hit Record Highs as Hundreds Flock to the Faith

Mark Nash, Director of the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis (AEC), described the occasion as a source of great joy.

Each year, the Rite of Election is a source of joy... It truly is a work of the Holy Spirit.

The surge in conversions reflects a broader trend across the Catholic Church in England, with similar record numbers reported in the Diocese of Westminster and other regions. Nearly 850 people across the broader London area are now on the cusp of entering the Church, according to combined figures from the dioceses of Westminster and Southwark.

The Crusader's Opinion

While the Church of England hemorrhages members and bends the knee to every cultural wind that blows, the Catholic Church in England is growing. Let that sink in. In the very nation that broke away from Rome nearly 500 years ago, hundreds are now walking back through those doors every single year. This is what happens when a church stands firm on its teachings instead of rewriting them to appease the spirit of the age. God is moving in England, and no amount of secularism can stop a soul that has been called by name.

Take Action

• Share: Post this story and celebrate the growth of Christianity in England. Let the world see that the faith is not dying, it is being reborn.
• Pray: Lift up the 590+ catechumens and candidates as they prepare for full reception into the Church this Easter. Pray for their perseverance and spiritual growth.
• Learn: If you are curious about the Catholic faith, visit your local parish and ask about the RCIA program. Many parishes welcome inquirers year round.
• Donate: Support evangelisation efforts through The Shepherd's Shield and organizations working to spread the Gospel across the West.
• Engage: Start a conversation with someone about faith this week. As Archbishop Wilson said, it begins with someone. Be that someone for another person.