SILENT GROWTH OF MOVING FAITH - The Catholic Church in Uzbekistan

Perhaps it is a father, a mother, a grandparent, or a friend whose presence once brought us comfort. We remember their voices, their sacrifices, their smiles, and even the simple moments we shared. Sometimes, a photograph or a familiar place brings tears to our eyes because we wish we could see them one more time.

Do you want to get to Heaven? Most would instinctively respond, “Yes.” But imagine an angel appearing to you today and saying, “The Most High God will be taking you to Heaven this very day.” How would you react? Would your heart leap with joy? Or would a wave of fear wash over you as you realized everything in this world would be left behind?

Presiding over the Opening Eucharistic celebration at 9:00a.m. at the historic seminary Church of St Jospeh, Bishop Stephen Lee welcomed the delegates and participants of the FABC Meet in Macau. Bishop Lee said that the gathering was a convergence of graces as the Catholic Diocese of Macau celebrates its 450th anniversary this year and the urgent question of how to communicate Christ in the age of AI.

According to the 2026 Church Statistics report released by the Vatican’s Fides news agency ahead of World Mission Sunday, the number of Catholics has risen to 1.422 billion, indicating a worldwide rise by 16.69 million. The report also recorded a slight increase in the number of priests, while the number of women religious and major seminarians continued to decrease. Population and Catholic population data as published in the Church’s statistical yearbook refer to 30 June 2024, while the other data are as of 31 December of the same year.