LATINOS FUTURE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

But the numbers truly support his theory.  One-third of all Catholics in the United States are now Latino, thanks to immigration and higher fertility rates.  The Hispanic influx in Catholic parishes across the country has been so rapid, many churches have been forced to make drastic changes, including special Spanish language masses, or Spanish themed dishes at the Lenten fish fry.  But while St. Cecilia’s parish has welcomed the growth, the Latino population boom is virtually rocking the pews elsewhere.

“Instead of screaming out, ‘The British are coming!’ “ Moreno Garcia says some people are screaming, ” ‘The Hispanics are coming! The Hispanics are coming! Run, run.’ ”  A self-described “Nuyorican” (Puerto Rican from New York), Moreno Garcia says he often gets mislabeled.  “They still confuse every Hispanic as being from Mexico, and that everyone is here illegally.”

One archdiocese parish that is struggling with the rush of Latino members is Holy Trinity in  the suburban community of St. Ann, Missouri.  Separate Sunday morning Masses in English and in Spanish are creating division among the devout there.  “We’re two separate parishes operating under one roof,” says Parish Council President Gina Shocklee.  “I refer to it as Holy Trinity Catholic Church, and then there’s Holy Trinity Hispanic Church,” says council member Jody Tedeschi, who worries the separate Masses promote segregation.

Some say the old guard of the Roman Catholic church in the U.S. should get used to the Hispanic influx, since it is expected to only increase over the years.  And with many Catholic churches throughout the country being forced to close due to financial strains, coupled with a critical drop in young men and women joining the priesthood or convent, the church should also welcome as many new members as it can get.  So far, racial and cultural issues seem to be winning the religious divide here.  As one parishoner put it:  “We don’t necessarily like the Hispanic takeover of our church.  But if we want to survive, what choices do we have?”