By Amy Green
Religion News Service
ORLANDO, Fla. — Immigration has not weakened the Christian identity of the United States but rather strengthened it, the director of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life told Catholic bishops here Thursday (June 12).
“Even though immigration is increasing diversity,” Luis Lugo said, “its primary result is that it’s reinforcing the Christian character of American society.”
Lugo presented findings from Pew’s sweeping U.S. Religious Landscape Survey to some 240 Catholic bishops attending their annual spring meeting.
The survey, first released last February, measured the changing and diversifying religious affiliations of some 35,000 American adults.
Researchers found that Catholics lose more adherents than any other religious group; one in 10 Americans are former Catholics.
Despite those losses, Catholic numbers have held steady during the last two decades, at about a quarter of the U.S. population. That’s thanks in large part to immigrants, notably Hispanics. About one-third of U.S. Catholics are Hispanic, which is helping offset the more secular attitudes that have gained ground in Europe, Lugo said.
“Immigration is not leading to the de-Christianization of American society but to the de-Europization of American Christianity,” said Lugo, a native of Cuba.
“The future is here. And by that I mean the future of the United States is here in the Catholic Church. As it goes in the Roman Catholic Church on this question of ethnicity, so goes the country. The Catholic Church is a harbinger of what we’re going to see for the country as a whole.”
Copyright 2008 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
posted June 12, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Looks like the RCC will be around a bit longer…for every former American Catholic who leaves, an Hispanic will take their place. Now if the RCC can find more men (not women) who want to be have no sex for the rest of their lives to be priests, and preferably men who can speak Spanish, the RCC is set for a few more years.
posted June 12, 2008 at 8:12 pm
“Catholic numbers have held steady during the last two decades, at about a quarter of the U.S. population. That’s thanks in large part to immigrants, notably Hispanics. About one-third of U.S. Catholics are Hispanic”
That large noise you’re hearing is Pat Buchanan’s head exploding … and lots of mariachi masses.
posted June 12, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I get all tingly when competing agendas overlap and become complmentary. The very experience of a living and breathing oxymoron is like standing outside in a thunderstorm. How can you win and lose all at the same time?! It’s wonderful. And THAT is the joy of religion!!!
posted June 13, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Whatever tingles you, j.
posted June 16, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Its been really great getting fresh views into American Christianity over the past few years. I know, not a mind blowing comment. Just thought it would be nice to get a reply on here that wasn’t from any of the anti-Catholic talking heads on Beliefnet.;)
posted June 16, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Why are people considered anti-anything because they don’t agree with all religions? We used to have many RC give their opinions and over time they have disappeared. People do get burned-out always defending their viewpoint, though, so then they just lose interest.