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Catholicism in America: New Faces, New Inspiration
For Christians other than Roman Catholics, it seems like almost everyday something is in the headlines about the Church's issues. For the past few years, the news has been about the sex abuse scandal, now it's an hourly report on the Pope's health, and his level of participation in the traditional rites and celebrations. In "A Church at the Crossroads," in the March Sojourner's Magazine, a much more complex, fascinating, and hopeful view of the future is portrayed, and much of it will be inspired by its growing diversity. During the last century, the church was transformed by the great influx of believers from Ireland. At present, "people of color make up almost half (46 percent) of the U.S. Catholic Church," but by 2050, Latinos alone will make up over half of American congregations, joined by many other ethnic groups, notably Filipino. The transformation that Alicia Marill, the president of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry, sees ahead is a growing sensitivity to social issues and injustice, based on Latinos’ emphasis on community and family. Many enjoy a more lively form of worship, with processions, music and dance. Hispanic youth tend to have a stronger, more heartfelt connection to Our Lady of Guadalupe or to "Jesus as amigo or friend." Generational differences are also profoundly affecting the church. Since half of all adult Catholics today were born after Vatican II, even which issues to discuss can be polarizing. Younger members may not care about the arguments between conservatives and liberals, but may ask, "Why go to church, at all?" If they do make the choice to attend church, often they are searching for what some of their elders may view as the "old stuff," returning for lively devotion, or contemplation and silence.
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