ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2014\u00a0There\u2019s a surge in Americans interested in joining the Catholic Church, according to local experts and data.<\/p>\n
The Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg welcomed its largest group in recent years into full communion with the church during its Easter vigil.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
The Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg welcomed its largest group in recent years during its Easter vigil
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It was a 40% increase from last year
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University of South Florida Associate Professor of Sociology said COVID-19, political uncertainty and the first American Pope could all play a role<\/p>\n
Kristie McNamee was baptized and received full communion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish I could say this is how it feels. I think it\u2019s different for everyone. For me, there was just complete peace,\u201d Kristie McNamee said.<\/p>\n
McNamee didn\u2019t grow up going to church every Sunday, but later in life, she said she felt a pull. She was attending a non-denominational church before she was introduced to the Catholic Church.<\/p>\n
After classes and studying, she was welcomed into the church with nearly 750 other people during the Easter vigil. That\u2019s nearly a 40% increase from last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a huge group of people, very diverse and it was nice to support all of them and be supported by them at the baptism,\u201d McNamee said.<\/p>\n
University of South Florida Associate Professor of Sociology James Cavendish specializes in sociology of religion. He suspects there are multiple reasons for the interest in Catholicism. He said there was a lag effect after the COVID-19 pandemic, with people catching up on church practices they had missed.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring COVID, in the years immediately after COVID, people withdrew, understandably withdrew from their involvement in the church,\u201d Cavendish said.<\/p>\n
The other potential reason Cavendish said is Pope Leo XIV. He\u2019s the first American pope, which he said can be relatable for the U.S. He also said that the political and social environment can lead to an interest in the church.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the midst of that uncertainty, people are looking for something that will provide them with a sense of meaning in life, a sense of security, a sense of community,\u201d Cavendish said.<\/p>\n
Now McNamee said she hopes she can be a good disciple.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that I honor the blessing that has been put on me,\u201d McNamee said.<\/p>\n