The number of adult baptisms in Belgium has almost doubled between 2014 and 2024, according to the Bishops’ Conference on Tuesday.
This year, 362 catechumens (the term for adult baptism candidates) were registered – up from 186 a decade ago.
Figures collected by the Bishops’ Conference also reveal adult baptisms surpassed pre-Covid-19 levels, recording 244 celebrations in 2019.
The Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels reported the highest number of adult baptisms this year with 121 celebrations, including 75 in Brussels and 35 in Wallonia Brabant.
This was followed closely by the Diocese of Tournai with 107 celebrations, the Diocese of Liège with 49, the Diocese of Antwerp with 34, Namur with 17, Ghent with 16 and then Bruges and Hasselt with 9 each.
Most baptisms are held in the run-up to Easter, following a yearlong preparation for the candidates.
