Joshua Bennett
The Catholic Church in the United States is experiencing a demographic shift, with a decline in the number of white Catholics and a concurrent rise in the number of Hispanic Catholics. This shift is influenced by Latin American immigration and the higher birth rates among Hispanic Catholics. As a result, Hispanic Catholics now constitute a larger proportion of American Catholics, with significant social and political implications. The changing dynamics between white and Hispanic Catholics in the US is a topic that warrants further exploration.
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What You'll Learn
- Political leanings: Hispanic Catholics lean Democrat, while white Catholics are more Republican
- Views on abortion: Hispanic Catholics are more likely to vote based on a candidate's stance on abortion
- Views on LGBTQ rights: White Catholics are less likely to vote based on a candidate's LGBTQ stance
- Religious devotion: Hispanic Catholics are more devoted to the Virgin Mary and saints
- Immigration: White Catholics are more concerned about immigration, while Hispanics are more concerned about race relations
Political leanings: Hispanic Catholics lean Democrat, while white Catholics are more Republican
In the United States, the number of Catholics who identify as Hispanic has been rising, while the number of white Catholics has been declining. In 2017, 55% of Catholics were white, down from 90% in 1991. A majority of Catholics under 30, or 52%, are Hispanic. Additionally, Hispanic Catholics have larger families with younger children than their white counterparts. This shift is also reflected in the Northeast and Midwest, where the Catholic Church was once predominantly white, but is now influenced by Latin American immigration and located in the South and West.
In terms of political leanings, Hispanic Catholics tend to lean more Democrat, while white Catholics are more likely to be Republican. In 2017, 40% of Hispanic Catholics identified as Democrats, while only 9% identified as Republicans. However, there is a generational gap, with 56% of senior citizens identifying as Democrats, compared to only 35% of young Hispanic Catholics. Among white Catholics, there is also a divide, with older generations tending to lean more Republican, while younger generations are more likely to identify as independent or liberal. In the 2020 presidential election, this divide was evident, with 65% of Hispanic Catholic registered voters saying they would vote for Biden, while 59% of White Catholic registered voters said they would vote for Trump.
On specific policy issues, Hispanic Catholics and white Catholics often differ. For example, on the issue of abortion, Hispanic Catholics are more likely than white Catholics to say that abortion should be illegal, with 54% of Hispanic Catholics holding this view compared to 44% of white Catholics. On the issue of LGBTQ rights, Hispanic Catholics are more likely than white Catholics to say they would only vote for a candidate who shares their views, with 29% and 26% holding this view respectively. When it comes to immigration, Hispanic Catholics are also more likely to prioritize this issue, with 35% saying they would only vote for a candidate who shares their views, compared to 7% of white Catholics who do not see immigration as an important issue.
Despite these differences, there are also areas where Hispanic Catholics and white Catholics share similar views. For instance, on the issue of gun control, 38% of both groups say they would only vote for someone who shares their views on access to guns. Additionally, both groups value having a president who lives a moral and ethical life, with 62% of both Hispanic and White Catholics sharing this view.
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Views on abortion: Hispanic Catholics are more likely to vote based on a candidate's stance on abortion
In the United States, the Catholic Church has long been one of the foremost opponents of legal abortion, teaching that abortion is morally wrong and that human life is sacred "from conception to natural death". However, US Catholics are divided along religious and political lines in their attitudes towards abortion. While the Catholic Church upholds the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and teaches that abortion is morally wrong, 6 in 10 US adult Catholics say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a Pew Research report from 2024.
Hispanic Catholics, who make up one-third of the US church, are slightly more in favour of legal abortion than white Catholics. In 2019, a majority of Hispanics (52%) believed abortion should be illegal in most or all instances, while 41% held the opposite view. A 2025 survey found only minimal differences in the abortion views of White Catholics and Hispanic Catholics.
Hispanic Catholics are more likely to vote based on a candidate's stance on abortion. When asked how a candidate's views on climate change might affect their vote, 29% of Hispanic Catholics said they would only vote for someone who shares their views, compared to 22% of White Catholics. Similarly, 38% of Hispanic Catholics said they would only vote for someone who shares their views on access to guns, compared to 38% of White Catholics.
The views of Catholic Republicans and Catholic Democrats also differ significantly. A majority of Catholic Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (60%) say abortion should be illegal in most or all cases, and that "life begins at conception". In contrast, most Catholic Democrats and Democratic leaners (73%) say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, and only three-in-ten believe that life begins at conception.
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Views on LGBTQ rights: White Catholics are less likely to vote based on a candidate's LGBTQ stance
In June 2023, 13% of the American population identified as White Catholics, while 8% identified as Hispanic Catholics. This shift from a predominantly White Catholic population to a more Hispanic one is due to Latin American immigration and the declining number of White Catholics.
When it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, nearly three in ten Catholics (28%) say they would only vote for someone who shares their views on this issue. A quarter of White Catholics (26%) say they would only vote for a candidate who shares their views on LGBTQ+ rights, while three in ten Hispanic Catholics (29%) say the same. This indicates that White Catholics are less likely to vote based solely on a candidate's stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
However, it is important to note that the Catholic Church's stance on LGBTQ+ issues is complex. While the Church has welcomed celibate gay and lesbian people, it has not officially approved of same-sex relationships and maintains that "homosexual persons are called to chastity." The Church also opposes legislation that could "punish as discrimination what [it] teaches." Despite this, organisations like DignityUSA, Fortunate Families, and New Ways Ministry work within the Catholic Church to advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and justice.
The views of Catholic voters on LGBTQ+ rights are also influenced by other factors, such as their political affiliation. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to vote based on a candidate's stance on LGBTQ+ rights, with 38% of Democrats saying they would only vote for a candidate who shares their views, compared to 29% of Republicans. Additionally, younger Americans are more supportive of LGBTQ+ rights than older Americans, with 71% of young Americans (aged 18-29) supporting same-sex marriage.
In conclusion, while White Catholics are less likely to vote based solely on a candidate's LGBTQ+ stance, the issue of LGBTQ+ rights is just one of many factors that influence Catholic voters' decisions. The changing demographic landscape of Catholicism in the United States, the complex relationship between the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ+ community, and the intersection of religious and political beliefs all contribute to a nuanced understanding of Catholic voters' views on LGBTQ+ rights.
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Religious devotion: Hispanic Catholics are more devoted to the Virgin Mary and saints
In June 2023, 23% of Americans identified as Catholic, with white Catholics making up 13% of the population and Hispanic Catholics making up 8%. This represents a shift from 2010, when 14% of Americans were white Catholics and 6% were Hispanic Catholics, with a total of 22% of Americans identifying as Catholic.
Hispanic Catholics are more devoted to the Virgin Mary and saints than their white counterparts. This is evidenced by the fact that 46% of Hispanic Catholics practice devotions to the Virgin Mary or a favourite saint, compared to 31% of white Catholics. Furthermore, 56% of Hispanic Catholics regularly wear or carry religious items, compared to 39% of white Catholics.
The veneration of Mary by Hispanic Catholics is deeply rooted in their culture and history. During the colonization of Latin America, the Spanish "rebranded" native gods as Catholic figures, such as Tonantzin, the mother of the earth, who was associated with the Virgin Mary. This assimilation of indigenous beliefs into Catholic doctrine fostered a strong devotion to the Virgin Mary among Hispanic Catholics.
Feast days of the Blessed Mother are celebrated with processions, fireworks, and festive gatherings in Latin America. Each country and even cities within countries have unique celebrations honouring the Virgin Mary. For example, the city of Aguascalientes in Mexico holds week-long processions and festivals in August to honour Our Lady of the Assumption.
In addition to their devotion to the Virgin Mary, Hispanic Catholics also revere several saints, such as St. Rose of Lima, St. Juan Diego, St. Josemaría Escrivá, St. Martin de Porres, and St. Camillus de Lellis. These saints are celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place annually from September 15 to October 15 in the United States.
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Immigration: White Catholics are more concerned about immigration, while Hispanics are more concerned about race relations
In the United States, there is a growing number of Hispanic Catholics, while the number of white Catholics is decreasing. In June 2023, 23% of Americans identified as Catholic, with white Catholics making up 13% of the population and Hispanic Catholics making up 8%.
Despite sharing concerns about healthcare and terrorism, white and Hispanic Catholics in the US differ in their views on immigration. White Catholics are more concerned about immigration, with 57% identifying it as a critical issue, compared to 35% of all Catholics. They are also more than twice as likely as Hispanic Catholics to support building a border wall (61% vs. 27%). On the other hand, Hispanic Catholics are more concerned about race relations, with 56% identifying it as a critical issue compared to 38% of white Catholics. They are also less likely to agree with the statement that "discrimination against whites has become as big a problem as discrimination against blacks and other minorities".
Hispanic Catholics are more likely to be concerned about the growing gap between the rich and the poor, with 54% believing that capitalism prioritizes the interests of businesses and shareholders over workers and the middle class, compared to 37% of white Catholics. They are also more likely to view socialism positively, with 64% believing that it provides citizens with health insurance, retirement support, and access to free higher education, while only 44% of white Catholics hold this view.
Hispanic Catholics also place greater importance on addressing climate change, with 66% believing that it is caused by human activity, compared to 53% of white Catholics. They are also more likely to believe that climate change will personally harm them, with 76% holding this view, in contrast to 47% of white Catholics.
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Frequently asked questions
In June 2023, 23% of Americans identified as Catholic.
White Catholics make up 13% of the population.
Hispanic Catholics make up 8% of the population.
In 1991, almost nine in ten Catholics in the US were white. In 2017, this number had dropped to 55%. Between 2010 and 2019, the number of White Catholics decreased from 14% to 12%.
In 2010, 6% of Americans were Hispanic Catholics. This percentage stayed stable at 6% in 2019. However, the number of Hispanic Catholics is increasing, and they are the future of Catholicism in the US.
