BAPTISMS are becoming more popular in the Diocese of Worcester – but only for adults.

The news comes as three month-old Prince George of Cambridge is christened today.

Yet, in this diocese, the numbers of children being christened has dropped in the past year, while christenings for those aged 13 and above have gone up slightly.

Rev Rich Johnson, vicar at All Saints in Deansway, said he will christen seven adults by fully immersing them in water at a service a week on Sunday.

“Christenings are becoming more popular again after a lull, that’s our experience,” he said.

“Some are adults, mainly 20-somethings, who have not grown up in a Christian home who have come to faith.”

He said All Saints borrows a birthing pool for the ceremony which is filled with warm water.

Those being baptised are invited to share their stories before being lowered backwards into the pool and fully submerged for a split second, then lifted out again.

Mr Johnson said: “As we go down into the water it’s symbolic of dying and then of being lifted up out of the water and being risen to new life.”

In the Diocese of Worcester, 1,534 under-ones and 751 one to 12-yearolds were christened in 2012 compared to 1,640 under-ones and 870 one to 12-year-olds the year before.

However, 181 aged 13 or over were christened, compared to 180 the year before. There were also only 155 thanksgiving services in 2012 compared to 224 the year before.

The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, said: “The baptism of Prince George is a wonderfully happy occasion which we can all celebrate,” he said.

“Once he is baptised, he will be welcomed into what must be the largest family on earth of two billion Christians, all of whom, whatever their station in life, rejoice in God’s loving purposes for them in Jesus.”