Leadership in parishes with Hispanic ministry: Realities and possibilities

Abstract

Catholic parishes in the United States have historically served as spaces that facilitate the integration of millions of immigrants into the larger U.S. society, usually by providing communal and leadership skills. This article uses data collected through the National Study of Catholic Parishes with Hispanic Ministry and draws directly from responses to three questionnaires sent to particular pastoral leaders in these communities: pastors (n = 572), Directors of Religious Education (n = 450), and Directors of Hispanic Ministry (n = 477). The article builds leadership profiles in these communities based on race/ethnicity, foreign-born status, educational level, ecclesial status, and gender, and offers an analysis-based variables in determining existing possibilities and limitations for Hispanic leadership development within current parish organizational structures.

Keywords:

• Catholic church
• catholic parishes
• Hispanic Catholic leadership
• Hispanic leadership
• Hispanic ministry
• pastors

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hosffman Ospino

This article builds upon data from the National Study of Catholic Parishes with Hispanic Ministry for which the author served as the principal investigator. The author thanks the Our Sunday Visitor Foundation and a philanthropic organization that requested to remain anonymous for providing funding to support this project.