HISPANICS AND THE FUTURE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES

This article was based on a talk given at the Center for Catholic Studies at Nassau Community College, Garden City, N.Y., on June 25, 2007. It discusses various themes concerning Hispanics and the Catholic Church in the U.S. These themes include the research of Prof. Philip Jenkins of Pennsylvania State University on the global charismatic revolution in Christianity, the attraction of Hispanics to rich and traditional Catholic liturgy and devotions, the trend of defections of Hispanic Catholics to Protestant groups, the socially conservative views of Hispanic Catholics on abortion and marriage, and the effect of immigration on the Catholic Church in the U.S. The thesis of the talk is that the Catholic Church in the U.S. will become more orthodox and charismatic due to the increased Hispanic presence. The talk has been edited for publication.