CNN Calls Latinos 'Future' of the Church

by Joshua J. McElwee on Oct. 21, 2009

CNN has posted on its homepage today an article highlighting that the future of the U.S. Catholic Church may be thoroughly Latino.

The article cites a new study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life that claims that one-third of all Catholics in the U.S. are now Latino.

Some of the consequences of this shift in demographics are explored. Things like the replacing of the traditional fish meal during Lent with chile rellenos and the need for parishes to expand the availability of Spanish language masses. Take a look.

As an American of Irish and

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Oct. 21, 2009.

As an American of Irish and Native American ancestry, it is easy to empathize with Latinos in general and in the Church. My people faced discrimination too.

I've seen this in my parish where the annual fiesta featured only white entertainment despite having more that 25% Hispanics on the parish rolls. As an usher for the one Spanish language Mass per week, I asked people from the previous Mass to either return to the pews or go outside to socialize and was told "It's olay, it is JUST THE MEXICAN MASS." I saw parish groups reject brown-skinned people from participation, "Because they speak Spanish," ignoring the fact that they also were fully conversant in English, and that some werer third-generaton Americans. When our Spanish-speaking priest was transferred, the bishop sent a Vietnamese-speaking priest "to minister to the Vietnamese in the parish (two families)."

Americans, and especially the Church, must face the reality. Hispanics are here and are the future.

If only the Church had a

Submitted by Esther (not verified) on Oct. 21, 2009.

If only the Church had a universal language, wait a minute...

Well, like DUH! unfortunately

Submitted by frère charles du désert OSB OBLAT (Congrégation de Subiaco) (not verified) on Oct. 21, 2009.

Well, like DUH!

unfortunately our hierarchy is so busy with english only back biting that it has not seen this demogrpahic. Dudes, look at our Ambassador, ok?

Meanwhile Law and Burke will pick English only bishops entirely out of touch with the Latino masses, imposing personal liturgical quirks and ignoring absolutely the aspirations, culture, prayers, problems of the people.

Nihil sub sole novum

the only place to go to Mass anymore in the USA are the Spanish language Masses.

Is this undeniable

Submitted by frère charles du désert OSB OBLAT (Congrégation de Subiaco) (not verified) on Oct. 21, 2009.

Is this undeniable demographic the reason why the Vatican is now bending over backwards to stuff the pews with English speaking Episcopalians and ultra-conservative Anglicans?

Follow the money! Anglicans got it by the truckload and Latinos got truckloads of babies . . .

Dudes, where's my Church?

frère charles du désert OSB OBLAT (Congrégation de Subiaco)

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