Catholics on the move. Why mark the X in favor of the Church?Increase in baptisms and canonical marriages in Spain by 2022The Spanish Church in 2021: sacraments and care for the unemployed to be recoveredMany citizens will be surprised to learn that one of the famous "big four" of the consulting world, Price Waterhouse Cooper, is hired by the Episcopal Conference to supervise its accounts, in addition to all its social and pastoral work. And it is even more striking to note that this has been going on for twelve years now. But the relationship between the Church and the famous consulting firms does not end there, since the section on the socioeconomic contribution of the Church through the tax collection obtained by the State has been carried out by Deloitte.
These facts have been commented on in the presentation of the Annual Report of Activities 2023 of the Catholic Church in Spain, a report that not only details its spiritual and social contributions, but also reaffirms its commitment to transparency and continuous improvement in its work. As explained by Ester Martín, director of the EEC's Transparency Office and responsible for the preparation of the report, the data on the collection and participation of the faithful in most sacraments has increased slightly, in absolute numbers, thanks to immigration. However, she also pointed out that in percentage terms the number of contributions and sacramental participation has decreased slightly.
Sacraments and faithful data
The church's activities range from pastoral accompaniment to educational, cultural and welfare initiatives. In 2023, more than 150,000 baptisms and 107,000 confirmations were celebrated. In the field of education, more than 2.5 million students attended Catholic educational centers, generating an estimated savings to the State of 4.6 billion euros thanks to the efficient management of these resources.
The Catholic Church in Spain has millions of committed lay people organized in 80 associations and movements, in addition to 407,563 lay territorial associates. In the formation and transmission of the faith there are 81,080 catechists and 36,686 Religion teachers. Consecrated life brings together 32,531 religious and 7,664 cloistered monks and nuns.
In the missionary field, Spain contributes 9,932 missionaries, while the preparation of new priests is supported by 957 seminarians. The clergy includes 15,285 priests, supported by 587 permanent deacons. Church leadership is vested in 119 bishops, who coordinate pastoral activity in the dioceses.
The assistance face of faith
Social action is one of the fundamental pillars of the Church in Spain. With more than 8,800 assistance centers, more than 3.8 million people were supported in 2023. These initiatives include soup kitchens, homes for the elderly, shelters for women victims of violence and employment inclusion projects.
The work of Caritas and Manos Unidas, which managed more than 527 million euros in charitable and development activities, reaching millions of beneficiaries both in Spain and abroad, stands out.
The 2023 Report not only summarizes the achievements of the Church, but also reinforces its mission of evangelization and service in a changing world. Bishop Luis Argüello, president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, emphasized in his letter that "this path of light and shadows is an invitation to continue building together, with hope, a more just and supportive society."
Immigration and women
In 2023, the Church maintained its fundamental role in supporting the most vulnerable groups in the area of immigration. Through 132 specialized centers, it offered shelter and accompaniment to more than 120,000 migrants and refugees, providing them with comprehensive support in times of special need.
A total of 230 centers specialized in the defense of life and the family provided comprehensive care to nearly 85,000 people in 2023. These centers focused on supporting mothers in vulnerable situations, assisting families in crisis and protecting minors at risk.
During 2023, the Catholic Church operated 646 centers focused on the promotion of women and support for victims of violence, offering assistance to more than 38,000 women. It also managed more than 2,800 programs aimed at people at risk of exclusion, complemented by human and spiritual accompaniment provided in 96 shelters.
With this report, the Catholic Church in Spain reaffirms its role as a beacon of hope and transformation in a social environment that increasingly demands concrete and supportive responses.
Transparency
The Church also plays a crucial role in the conservation of Spain's cultural heritage. Of the 44 Spanish properties declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, 22 are linked to the Church. During 2023, 66 million euros were invested in conservation and rehabilitation projects.
The Annual Report highlights the progress made in accountability and economic management. Thanks to the tax allocation system, more than 382 million euros were collected, an increase of 23 million over the previous year. These funds were used to cover the needs of the dioceses and to support pastoral and social activities. According to the report, the total cost of the activities of the diocesan Church in Spain, which includes dioceses, parishes, formation centers and the Episcopal Conference, amounts to 1,428 million euros. This figure represents an expense that multiplies by four times the income coming from the tax allocation.
The commitment to transparency is reflected in the consolidation of 229 offices for the protection of minors and vulnerable people, which in 2023 trained more than 255,000 people in ethics and prevention protocols.
