Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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Black Catholics in America
Black Catholics more likely than White Catholics, less likely than Hispanic Catholics to be born outside U.S.
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- Black Catholics in America
- Relatively few Black Catholic churchgoers worship where most attendees are Black
- Black Catholics more inclined than White and Hispanic Catholics to say churches should offer a sense of racial affirmation
- Three-quarters of Black Catholics say opposing racism is essential to their faith
- About half of Black adults who were raised Catholic are still Catholic
- Roughly a quarter of Black Catholics go to Mass at least weekly, similar to other Catholics
- Roughly two-thirds of Black Catholic churchgoers say Masses they attend include people calling out ‘amen’ or other expressions of approval
- Upwards of nine-in-ten Black Catholics say they would prioritize welcoming atmosphere, inspiring sermons if looking for a new congregation
- Black Catholics more likely than other Catholics to pray daily and to say they rely on prayer for guidance
- Seven-in-ten Black Catholics say abortion should be legal in all or most cases
- Overall, Black Catholics are younger than White Catholics but older than Hispanic Catholics
- Black Catholics more likely than White Catholics, less likely than Hispanic Catholics to be born outside U.S.
- Parishioners worship during Mass at St. Augustine Catholic Church, the oldest Black Catholic parish in the country, in New Orleans in August 2021. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)