The value and need for new research on the U.S. Hispanic Catholic experience to build a stronger sense of communal belonging

Abstract

Social scientific research on Catholic parishes serving Hispanic Catholics has not kept up with the fast growth of these communities in the United States, which constitute about a full quarter of Catholic communities in the country. Most of such research is rather recent. This introduction describes one of the largest research studies exploring Catholic communities with Hispanic Ministry conducted by Boston College (2011–2014) and the essays in this issue analyzing data emerging from that study.

Keywords:

• Catholicism
• Catholic parishes
• Hispanic
• Latino
• Religion
• Immigration
• Hispanic Catholics