Most 'Fruitful' US Dioceses Stand Out for Their People.

A Catholic World Report analysis cited by the Register found Nashville and Tulsa tied for first in 'fruitfulness'—measured by seminarians, infant baptisms, weddings and adult converts per capita—and both dioceses serve small Catholic minorities where active parish life and invitation are credited for growth.

The Register's "Catholic Hubs" reporting highlights U.S. dioceses where Catholic life appears to be growing rather than shrinking. That coverage draws on a Catholic World Report analysis that ranked dioceses by seminarians, infant baptisms, Catholic weddings and adult converts relative to the local Catholic population. Nashville and Tulsa tied for first in that measure of "fruitfulness." Local clergy and parishioners point to active parish life, frequent sacramental access and deliberate invitation as important factors. Key facts: - The CWR analysis combined numbers of seminarians, infant baptisms, Catholic weddings and adult converts per capita to create a single "fruitfulness" score. - Nashville had the most infant baptisms per capita; Tulsa had the second-most baptisms and the second-most weddings. - Catholics make up a small share of the local populations in both places: about 4.5% in the Diocese of Nashville and about 7% in the Diocese of Tulsa. - Most dioceses in CWR's top 10 are relatively small dioceses across the South and Midwest, including Wichita, Savannah, Knoxville, Birmingham, Grand Island, Salina, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and Memphis. - Larger, high-population dioceses tended to rank lower in the analysis, with Los Angeles (No. 124), New York (No. 168), Chicago (No. 135) and Dallas (No. 150) noted for contrast. Summary: Local leaders and parishioners describe close parish networks, frequent sacramental opportunities and an invitational culture as central reasons for measured "fruitfulness." In Nashville, regional population growth has increased demand for new parishes and raised infrastructure and property-cost concerns. In Tulsa, parish-level invitation and OCIA conversions are highlighted as engines of growth. Diocesan leaders and vocation directors identify managing expansion and fostering vocations as ongoing priorities.