EUROPE/ITALY - Salesians increase in South Asia and Africa

Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The statistical data of the Salesian Congregation updated to 31 December 2009 shows that the number of Salesians in the world (including Bishops and Novices) is at 15,952. According to ANS, from the information sent in from the 92 Provinces and Vice-Provinces as the religious geographical areas are called in which the Congregation is organised, it emerges that in the world professed Salesians (including Bishops) are 15,465. The number of novices present in the novitiates at the end of December 2009 was 487. The complete number (professed + novices) is 15,952, -142 with respect to 2008. In detail, the perpetually professed are 13,084, (including the Bishops), the Salesians in temporary vows are 2,381. The newly-professed Brothers in 2009 were 39, the equivalent of 8.95% of the total number of the newly-professed in the year. The number of newly ordained priests in 2009 was 195. Considering the Regions, made up of a number of Provinces and Vice Provinces, there has been a noticeable increase in the South Asia Region. There was also an increase in the Africa-Madagascar Region. The East Asia–Oceania Region is almost unchanged. The other Regions all experienced falls in their numbers, more marked in those for Europe. The Salesians of Don Bosco are present in 130 countries. In 2009, Bangladesh was added although it has not yet been canonically erected. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 27/1/2010)