The integration of Hispanic parishioners in US Catholic parishes with Hispanic ministry: Results from a national survey

Abstract

This article builds upon data from the National Study of Catholic Parishes with Hispanic Ministry to examine two questions: (1) what are the profiles of Catholic parishes with Hispanic Ministry? (2) How are various dimensions of parish life associated with the integration of Hispanic communities in Catholic congregations? We identify profiles of parishes with the Hispanic ministry and use ANOVA analyses to compare differences across these profiles. We then develop multilevel regression models of parishes nested within dioceses to predict integration of Hispanic communities into Catholic parish life. We observe great variation in the integration of Hispanic communities in Catholic parishes and identify liturgical, social, civic, and leadership factors as associated with greater parish integration, controlling for the parish size and the percentage of Hispanic families in the parish. We conclude that Catholic parishes and ministries that encourage and develop lay leadership may foster integration of Hispanic communities in parish life.

Keywords:

• Catholic parishes
• Hispanic Catholics
• Hispanic ministry
• immigrant integration
• multicultural