Michael Brooks
While Hispanic Catholics attend Mass at similar rates to white Catholics, they are less likely to receive Communion. Communion is a Catholic tradition in which Catholics receive bread and wine, which are believed to become the body and blood of Christ when consecrated by a priest. The Catholic Church has various rules about who can receive Communion, and it is generally only permitted for baptized Catholics who believe in the Eucharist as the body and blood of Christ. The share of Hispanic Catholics who receive Communion at least most of the time they attend Mass is lower than that of white Catholics. This may be due to factors such as language barriers, cultural disconnect, and economic conditions.
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What You'll Learn
Hispanic Catholics are less likely to receive Communion than attend Mass
Several factors contribute to this phenomenon. One reason may be the eligibility criteria for receiving Communion in the Catholic Church. According to Church teachings, only baptized Catholics who are free from "grave sins" and have repented and performed penance can receive Communion. Catholics who are cohabiting or have divorced and remarried without an annulment may fall into this category and, therefore, receive Communion less frequently.
Another factor could be the cultural and demographic differences between Hispanic and White Catholics. A significant proportion of Hispanic Catholics in the US are immigrants or the children of immigrants, with diverse backgrounds and experiences. They may face challenges such as poverty and cultural barriers that impact their religious practices. Additionally, Hispanic Catholics have distinct views on essential elements of their Catholic identity. They are more inclined than White Catholics to prioritize caring for immigrants, environmental protection, celebrating cultural feast days, going on pilgrimages, opposing the death penalty, and working to help the poor and needy. These differing perspectives may influence their participation in Communion.
Furthermore, the language of the Mass plays a role in the religious practices of Hispanic Catholics. A large proportion of Hispanic Catholics prefer to attend Mass in Spanish, and they are far more likely than White Catholics to do so. This preference for Spanish Mass may impact their overall religious engagement, including their frequency of receiving Communion.
Lastly, the decline in Catholicism among US Hispanics cannot be overlooked. While Hispanics are more likely than other racial groups to be Catholic, the percentage of Hispanics who identify as Catholic is decreasing. This decline may contribute to the lower participation of Hispanic Catholics in Communion. Despite these differences in Communion attendance, Hispanic Catholics are slightly more likely than White Catholics to go to confession at least once a year, indicating a continued engagement with Catholic rituals.
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Communion is restricted to baptised Catholics
While Hispanic Catholics are as likely as white Catholics to attend Mass weekly, they are much less likely to receive Communion. Only 21% of Hispanic Catholics receive Communion every time they attend Mass, compared with 56% of white Catholics. A third of Hispanic Catholics take Communion only some of the time (35%), and about a quarter say they never receive Communion (27%).
Communion is a sacred ritual in the Catholic Church, and there are specific guidelines regarding who can receive Communion. One of the most important requirements is that only baptised Catholics are eligible to receive Communion. This restriction is not unique to the Catholic Church, as other denominations such as Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Orthodox, Reformed, and Baptist traditions also require baptism for Communion.
Baptism is considered the gateway to other sacraments, and it is seen as the formal and visible entrance into the Church. Therefore, restricting Communion to baptised members is a way to guard the sacred nature of the ritual. In the Catholic Church, this restriction is absolute and cannot be dispensed.
In addition to being baptised, Catholics must also be in a state of grace to receive Communion. This means they must be free of mortal sin and have repented and performed penance for any "grave sins" they may have committed. The Church encourages Catholics to receive Communion frequently, even daily if possible, and mandates reception at least once a year during the Easter season.
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Hispanics are converting to Protestantism
Hispanics and Latinos are predominantly Christians in the United States, with most being Roman Catholics. However, the share of US Hispanics who are Catholic is declining. While 67% of Latino adults identified as Catholic in 2010, that figure declined to 43% in 2022, coinciding with an increasing number of younger Latino adults who are religiously unaffiliated.
Several factors have been put forward to explain the shift away from Catholicism. One view is that many Mexican Catholics are poorly catechized, with people going through the motions without knowing why. Protestant missionaries and Jehovah's Witnesses have also been accused of specifically targeting minorities for conversion. Many immigrants from Latin America are poor, and some Protestant missionaries have exploited this by preaching a prosperity gospel. They have also targeted Catholics by claiming that the Catholic Church is evil and greedy, hoarding riches while the poor suffer.
Another factor is the lack of inclusivity in Catholic churches. Latinos are often separated at churches with large Hispanic populations, with their own mass, music ministry, Bible study, and gatherings. They may also feel disconnected by always seeing pictures of a white Jesus, which they can't relate to. Protestants, on the other hand, often have fewer images around.
The shift away from Catholicism has been towards both evangelical Protestantism and no religious affiliation. Among Latino Protestant communities, most are evangelical, but some belong to mainline denominations. Compared to Catholics, unaffiliated, and mainline Protestant Latinos, Evangelical Protestant Latinos are more likely to attend services weekly, pray daily, and adhere to biblical literalism. They also report higher rates of engagement in other religious activities, including Scripture reading, Bible study groups, and sharing their faith.
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Hispanics are less likely to identify as Catholic
While Hispanic Catholics are as likely as white Catholics to attend Mass weekly, they are much less likely to say they regularly receive Communion. Only 21% of Hispanic Catholics receive Communion every time they attend Mass, compared with 56% of white Catholics. About a third of Hispanic Catholics say they take Communion only some of the time they attend Mass (35%). And roughly a quarter say they never receive the Eucharist (27%).
There are several reasons why Hispanic Catholics may be less likely to identify as Catholic and less likely to receive Communion. One reason could be the language barrier. Hispanic Catholics are far more likely than White Catholics to attend a Mass conducted in Spanish. While about four-in-ten Hispanic Catholics say that when they go to Mass, they usually go to one said in Spanish, only 1% of White Catholics say they typically attend a Spanish Mass. This preference for Spanish-language services may contribute to a sense of disconnect from the predominantly English-language Catholic Church in the United States.
Another factor could be the perception of exclusion or a lack of representation in Catholic parishes. Some Hispanics may feel that they are not adequately included or represented in their parishes, which could lead to a sense of alienation from the Catholic Church. For example, some Hispanics may feel disconnected by always seeing images of a white Jesus, which they cannot relate to. In some cases, individuals may feel that a particular parish allows a specific group or individual to control "all things Hispanic" at the church, which can create a sense of division and exclusion.
Additionally, economic conditions may play a role in the decline of Catholicism among Hispanics. Some Hispanics may be attracted to the prosperity gospel preached by some Protestant sects, which may offer a more "feel-good" church experience with secular music, greeters at the door, and a message of everyone being saved. These Protestant churches may also offer assistance with immigration to the United States, which could be a significant factor for Hispanics who are immigrants or the children of immigrants.
Furthermore, the share of U.S. Hispanics who are Catholic is declining. While 40% of Hispanic adults identify as Catholic, this represents a decrease from previous years. This decline could be due to a variety of factors, including the increasing diversity of Hispanic experiences and backgrounds, as well as the rise of other religious or non-religious identities within the Hispanic community.
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Hispanics are more likely to attend Mass in Spanish
While the share of U.S. Hispanics who are Catholic is declining, 40% of Hispanic adults still identify as Catholic. This is at least double the share of White, Black, and Asian Americans who identify as Catholic. Furthermore, among those who are not Catholics themselves, Hispanics are more likely than White Americans or Americans of other races to have some Catholic connection.
Hispanic Catholics are far more likely than White Catholics to attend Mass conducted in Spanish. According to a 2013 survey, 39% of Hispanic Catholic churchgoers said they attended worship services in Spanish every time, down from 60% in 2007. This is in contrast to only 1% of White Catholics who typically attend Mass in Spanish.
The preference for Spanish Masses among Hispanic Catholics may be due to the high number of foreign-born Hispanic Catholics. Eight-in-ten Hispanic Catholics were born outside the U.S. (58%) or are the children of immigrants (22%). Most Hispanic immigrants (95%) mainly use Spanish or are bilingual.
Despite their preference for Spanish Masses, Hispanic Catholics are less likely than White Catholics to receive Communion regularly. Only 21% of Hispanic Catholics receive Communion every time they attend Mass, compared to 56% of White Catholics. This disparity may be due to factors such as cohabitation or divorce, which may impact the frequency with which Hispanic Catholics receive the sacrament.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, while Hispanic Catholics are as likely as White Catholics to attend Mass weekly, they are less likely to say they regularly receive Communion. Only 21% of Hispanic Catholics receive Communion every time they attend Mass, compared with 56% of White Catholics.
There could be several reasons for this disparity. One reason could be that many Hispanic Catholics attend Mass in Spanish, and some may feel disconnected by always seeing images of a White Jesus. Another reason could be that some Hispanic Catholics may be ineligible to receive Communion due to circumstances such as cohabitation or divorce, which the Catholic Church considers "grave sins".
In Communion, Catholics receive bread and wine, which they believe become the actual body and blood of the risen Christ through a process called transubstantiation. Communion is considered sacred, and the Catholic Church teaches that only those who believe in this process and are baptised Catholics can receive Communion.
For Catholics, receiving Communion means embracing all of Christ's teachings handed down through the Church. It is seen as a sacred act that requires one to believe in the Church's teachings and profess the Catholic faith.
Generally, no. The Catholic Church practices closed communion, which means that only baptised Catholics are permitted to receive Communion. However, there are some exceptions, such as in the case of inter-denominational marriages, where a Lutheran spouse of a Catholic may receive Communion if they "affirm the Catholic faith in the Eucharist".
