Amid Youth Resurgence, England’s Catholic Church Marks 175 Years of Legal Restoration
LONDON — It has been over four hundred years since Catholicism last held that position.
Henry VIII’s decision to declare himself Head of the Church in England, in an attempt to resolve his marital issues, led to the establishment of the Anglican Church of England.
For centuries afterward, Catholics were persecuted, possessing few legal rights. Even university education became impossible since Catholics would have to swear to support the monarch and the Protestant Church of England.
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This past September marked the 175th anniversary of the legal restoration of the Catholic Church in 1850. Pope Pius IX issued the papal bull Universalis Ecclesiae, restoring the Catholic hierarchy in England and Wales and creating 13 new dioceses.
It was not without controversy, as many Anglicans objected to the restoration. Queen Victoria is reputed to have asked, “Am I Queen of England, or am I not?”
To reduce the possibility of anti-Catholic opposition, the name of Westminster was chosen in preference to London for the new metropolitan See. Nicholas Wiseman was appointed as the first Roman Catholic Archbishop, before being named Cardinal, making him the first English person to hold these roles since the sixteenth century.
“Our diocese in 1850 was not the diocese of today,” said Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster. “Catholic life was slowly emerging from centuries of opposition and suppression. Our mission has survived and been fruitful. Parish life has been established, schools have been founded and give witness to our faith, and we have played our part in public life and communal effort.”
There can be no doubt that the number of Catholics has grown steadily. Over the last few decades, there have been high-profile converts.
In 1994, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, converted to the Roman Catholic faith, becoming the first senior member of the royal family to do so in over 300 years. At the time, she stated that it was a “long-pondered personal decision.” A year later, Queen Elizabeth II attended a historic, ecumenical service at Westminster Cathedral – the first time a ruling monarch had taken part in a Catholic service since the Reformation. In 2025, the funeral of the Duchess of Kent was held at Westminster Roman Catholic Cathedral and attended by 49 members of the Royal Family, including the King and the Prince of Wales.
In recent years, migrants from Catholic countries — like Poland and Ukraine — have contributed to the size of Catholic parish numbers, but the largest increases have come from among the ranks of young people, particularly those described as Gen X or Millennials.
The Quiet Revival Survey, commissioned by the Bible Society and conducted by YouGov, noted that the number of churchgoers, especially young men, was now attending Roman Catholic churches on a regular basis. Among 18-34 year olds, 41% of churchgoers were Roman Catholic, 20% Anglican and 18% Pentecostal.
Earlier this year, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales published figures revealing that mass attendance in 2023 — the most recent statistics available — grew from 503,000 in 2022 to 555,000.
Figures released for the number of adults completing the rite of Christian initiation for adults have indicated a significant rise. For example, the Southwark Archdiocese noted a 164% increase in new Catholics during 2024 compared to the previous year. Westminster recorded receiving 500 new entrants, most of whom are new converts. Many of these new Catholics are in their twenties and thirties.
The Catholic diocese of Arundel & Brighton pointed out that at the 2025 Rite of Election, marking the preparation of adults for baptism or confirmation at Easter “we welcomed an unprecedented 105 catchumens, who are preparing for baptism, and 105 candidates for reception into the church and confirmation, together with family and friends, stretching the seating capacity of the cathedral to its very limits.”
As a result, Arundel & Brighton Cathedral is already planning to change its arrangements for the rite of election next year. Instead of holding just one service, the intention is to hold two services during the day.
Reasons for this rise in conversions vary. Young people appear to be seeking something deeper in their lives. Anecdotal reports refer to typical responses from new attendees about their involvement in Catholicism, such as “looking for meaning in life”, “wanting a sense of peace.”
It is also seen as being “cool” and wanting to explore spirituality within a clearly articulated faith. The traditions and rituals of the Catholic Church, create a sense of stability, linking the past with clear messages, and provide the answers these people are seeking. It also provides a definite community link — something many people are struggling with due to the impact of social media, leading to greater anxiety and mental health problems.
Teens, too, are exploring their options, becoming more open to the Catholic Church. Youth groups are said to be increasing in numbers, especially in university cities.
“Young people are looking for answers, and certainly in an uncertain world, this is what the Catholic Church can provide them with,” Abbot Hugh Allen, Director of Mission at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, said.
“But even more than that, at a time when there is so much suffering and confusion, the church can offer an encounter with the profound and deep love of Jesus Christ, a love that can transform lives and give purpose and meaning,” he added. “People of all ages will always seek the truth, and the church must always be there to accompany them on their journey to a relationship with God.”
Angela Youngman is a freelance journalist who has written for a wide range of British and international publications.