Rachel Evans
Catholicism is the predominant religion among Latino communities in the United States, with 43% of Latino adults identifying as Catholic in 2022, down from 67% in 2010. Among Mexican Americans, the percentage of Catholics is 61%, while it is 81% for Mexicans. This decline in Catholic identification among Latinos is particularly notable among younger individuals, with 30% of Hispanics aged 18-29 identifying as Catholic, and a larger proportion, 49% being religiously unaffiliated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Mexican-Americans who are Catholic | 61% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who are Catholic | 81% |
| Percentage of Mexican-Americans who are Protestant | 18% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who are Protestant | 9% |
| Percentage of Mexican-Americans who are unaffiliated with any religion | 17% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who are unaffiliated with any religion | 7% |
| Percentage of Mexican-Americans who support changes to the priesthood | 66% |
| Percentage of Mexicans who support changes to the priesthood | 31% |
| Percentage of Mexican-American Catholics who were born in the U.S. and support changes to the priesthood | 68% |
| Percentage of Mexican-Americans who are Catholic (2010) | 67% |
| Percentage of Mexican-Americans who are Catholic (2022) | 43% |
| Percentage of U.S. Hispanics who are Catholic (2022) | 43% |
| Percentage of U.S. Hispanics who are former Catholics | 25% |
| Percentage of U.S. Hispanics who are religiously unaffiliated | 30% |
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What You'll Learn
61% of Mexican Americans identify as Catholic
While Catholicism remains the largest religious group among Latinos in the United States, the number of Latinos who identify as religiously unaffiliated is growing. As of 2022, 43% of Latino adults identify as Catholic, down from 67% in 2010. This decline is particularly notable among young Latinos, with nearly a quarter of all US Hispanics being former Catholics.
Among Mexican Americans, specifically, 61% identify as Catholic. This is a lower percentage than among Mexicans, among whom 81% identify as Catholic. The higher proportion of Catholics among Mexicans compared to Mexican Americans reflects significant differences in religious affiliation between the two groups. More Mexican Americans than Mexicans are Protestant (18% vs. 9%) or unaffiliated with any religion (17% vs. 7%).
Despite the overall decline in Catholicism among Latinos, the Hispanic Catholic community in the US is growing. This growth is attributed to the increasing Hispanic population, which comprises 40% of all US Catholics. The impact of this growth can be seen in dioceses in cities that are not traditionally associated with Hispanics, as well as in parishes that are being filled with Hispanics.
While there are some cultural differences between Mexican Catholics and Mexican-American Catholics, they also exhibit similarities in some areas of religious practice and belief. For example, large percentages of both groups support reversing the church's teaching that prohibits the use of artificial birth control. Additionally, they attend Mass at about the same rate, with around four in ten in each group saying they go to church once per week or more.
In conclusion, while the percentage of Mexican Americans who identify as Catholic is lower than that of Mexicans, Catholicism remains the largest religious group within Latino communities in the United States. The growth of the Hispanic Catholic community in the US is influenced by the increasing Hispanic population, and it continues to shape the religious landscape of the country.
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Mexicans are more Catholic than Mexican Americans
While Mexicans and Mexican Americans share common cultural roots, there are significant differences between the two groups in terms of religious affiliation. According to Pew Research surveys, Mexicans are more Catholic than Mexican Americans, with a 20% higher percentage of Catholics among Mexicans (81%) compared to Mexican Americans (61%). Additionally, Mexican Americans are more likely to be Protestant (18% vs. 9%) or unaffiliated with any religion (17% vs. 7%).
These differences extend beyond religious affiliation, as Mexican Americans hold less traditional views on certain core Catholic teachings. For example, Mexican-American Catholics are more likely to support changes to the priesthood, with a majority saying that priests should be allowed to marry and that women should be ordained as priests. In contrast, only about one-third of Mexican Catholics favor these changes.
Despite these differences, there are also similarities between the two groups. They attend Mass at comparable rates, with around four in ten individuals in each group attending church once a week or more. Both Mexicans and Mexican Americans largely support reversing the church's teaching on the prohibition of divorce and the use of artificial birth control.
The decline in Catholicism among Latinos in the United States is notable, with a decrease from 67% in 2010 to 43% in 2022. This coincides with an increasing number of younger Latino adults who are religiously unaffiliated. However, it is worth mentioning that Catholicism remains the largest religious group within Latino communities in the United States as of 2022.
In conclusion, while Mexicans and Mexican Americans share cultural ties, Mexicans exhibit a stronger affiliation with Catholicism and tend to hold more traditional views on certain Catholic teachings. On the other hand, Mexican Americans are more religiously diverse and espouse more progressive beliefs within the Catholic faith. These variations reflect the unique cultural and social influences shaping the religious landscape of these two closely connected communities.
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Mexican Americans are more likely to be Protestant
While Catholicism is the largest religious denomination among Latinos in the United States, with 61% of Mexican Americans identifying as Catholic, there is a significant presence of Protestantism as well. The percentage of Catholics is higher among Mexicans, at 81%. This may be due to the traditional and conservative nature of religious practices in Mexico, where the Catholic Church holds more influence.
Among Latinos, there is a wide range of religious affiliations, with some groups being more heavily Catholic than others. For example, 61% of Mexican Americans and 59% of Dominican Americans identify as Catholic, while 42% of Salvadoran Americans are Catholic and 37% are Protestant. Foreign-born Latinos are more likely to identify as Catholic, while native-born Latinos are more likely to be religiously unaffiliated or Protestant.
Within the Latino community, there are also differences in religious practices and beliefs between Catholics and Protestants. For instance, Latino evangelicals are more likely to attend religious services weekly and pray daily compared to non-evangelical Protestants and Catholics. Latino Catholics, on the other hand, tend to have more flexible beliefs, with many supporting changes to church teachings on divorce, birth control, and the ordination of women.
Overall, while Mexican Americans are more likely to be Catholic than Protestant, there is a significant presence of Protestantism within this community, and religious practices and beliefs can vary widely.
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Mexican Americans are more likely to be unaffiliated with any religion
The decline in Catholic identification among Latinos is particularly pronounced among younger individuals. A 2022 survey found that 79% of Latinos ages 18 to 29 were U.S.-born, and in this age group, 30% identify as Catholic, 11% as evangelical, and 49% are religiously unaffiliated. This shift away from religious affiliation among young Latinos is part of a broader secularization trend in American society. Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia acknowledged that the Catholic Church is losing young Hispanics in significant numbers and that this poses a challenge for the Church.
While the Catholic Church is facing a decline in affiliation among Latinos, other forms of Christianity, such as evangelicalism and Protestantism, are gaining adherents within this community. About 21% of Hispanic adults identify as Protestant, a proportion that has remained relatively stable since 2010. Among Latino evangelicals, 58% report attending religious services weekly or more often, compared to 37% of non-evangelical Protestants and 22% of Catholics. Additionally, 72% of Latino evangelicals say they pray daily, compared to 52% of Catholics.
The reasons for the decline in Catholic affiliation among Mexican Americans and Latinos more broadly are multifaceted. One factor may be the differences in religious views and practices between Mexicans and Mexican Americans. For example, Mexican-American Catholics are more likely to support changes to the priesthood, with two-thirds favoring the idea of priests being able to marry and women becoming priests. Acculturation and the influence of broader American cultural trends toward secularization may also play a role in the shift away from religious affiliation among young Latinos.
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Mexican Americans are underrepresented in Catholic schools and the priesthood
Mexican Americans are the largest minority group in the United States, with two-thirds of U.S. Hispanics, or over 20 million adults, being of Mexican descent. While Mexican Americans are predominantly Catholic, they are underrepresented in Catholic schools and the priesthood.
Catholicism is the largest religious group within Latino communities in the United States, with 67% of Latino adults identifying as Catholic in 2010, declining to 43% in 2022. Among Mexican Americans, the percentage of Catholics is 61%, compared to 81% among Mexicans. Despite this significant Catholic population, Hispanic Americans account for less than 19% of Catholic school enrollment and only about 3% of U.S.-based priests. In the Phoenix diocese, out of more than 200 priests, there are only seven American-born Hispanics.
Several factors contribute to the underrepresentation of Mexican Americans in Catholic schools. One reason is the perception of Catholic schools as exclusive to the wealthy in Latin American countries, making Catholic education in the U.S. seem unaffordable to many Hispanic families. Additionally, the rise of charter schools, which receive government funding, provides a more accessible alternative to Catholic schools. The overall enrollment in Catholic schools in the U.S. has declined, impacting the representation of Hispanic students.
The underrepresentation of Mexican Americans in the priesthood reflects a broader trend of declining interest in religious vocations. However, the specific challenges faced by the Hispanic community, such as cultural and language barriers, may also play a role.
Despite these challenges, there is excitement about a future Hispanic-accented Catholic church, particularly in states along the Mexico border. The election of Mexican-born Los Angeles Archbishop José Gómez as the first Hispanic president of the bishops' conference is a significant step towards increasing Hispanic representation in Catholic leadership.
In conclusion, while Mexican Americans have a strong presence within the Catholic Church, their underrepresentation in Catholic schools and the priesthood remains an issue. Efforts to address this gap are underway, recognizing the importance of engaging and empowering the Hispanic community within the Church.
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Frequently asked questions
61% of Mexican Americans identify as Catholic, according to a 2014 survey. However, a 2022 survey found that only 43% of Mexican Americans identify as Catholic, indicating a decline in Catholic affiliation among this demographic.
Mexicans are more likely to identify as Catholic, with 81% of Mexicans doing so according to the same 2014 survey.
There are several factors that could contribute to this difference. Mexican Americans are more likely than Mexicans to be Protestant (18% vs. 9%) or unaffiliated with any religion (17% vs. 7%). Mexican Americans may also be more likely to support changes to Catholic Church teachings, such as allowing priests to marry and ordaining women as priests.
Catholicism is declining among Mexican Americans. The number of Mexican Americans who identify as Catholic has decreased from 67% in 2010 to 43% in 2022. This decline is particularly pronounced among younger Mexican Americans, with 30% of those aged 18-29 identifying as Catholic.
There are several factors contributing to the decline in Catholicism among Mexican Americans. Firstly, there is a general trend of secularization and religious unaffiliation among Americans, including Mexican Americans. Additionally, some Mexican Americans may be leaving the Catholic Church due to differences in religious beliefs or practices, or switching to other religious denominations such as evangelicalism or other Protestant faiths.
