USCCB survey: 28% of parishes hold Spanish Masses

The survey, the first of its kind conducted by the bishops of the United States, collected data from 175 dioceses and 16,279 parishes nationwide.

A groundbreaking study conducted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has revealed that 28% of Catholic parishes in the United States now offer Spanish-language Masses. This data indicates a significant increase in the availability of services for Hispanic and Latino communities, reflecting the growing diversity within the Catholic Church in America.

Angelus News explains that the survey, the first of its kind conducted by the USCCB, collected data from 175 dioceses and 16,279 parishes nationwide. The results show that 4,479 parishes currently offer one or more Masses in Spanish, underscoring a significant effort to meet the spiritual needs of Hispanic Catholics. Although there is no exact data for comparison, this number suggests an increase of about 10% since 2014. That year, a report showed that 81% of the 5,000 parishes offering non-English Masses did so in Spanish.

Alejandro Aguilera-Titus, associate director for Hispanic affairs at the USCCB’s Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church, expressed optimism about the survey’s findings. “The survey reflects the commitment of our dioceses to Hispanic and Latino communities,” Aguilera-Titus said. He called the results “encouraging,” noting that they show a “widespread commitment to building a more integrated and united Catholic Church in the United States.”

The study also found that an additional 2,760 parishes have a Hispanic ministry presence but do not currently offer a Spanish-language Mass. This underscores the Church’s ongoing efforts to engage and support Hispanic communities.

Regional disparities were evident in the survey, with Southern California, Texas, and Florida emerging as key areas where Spanish-language Masses are most prevalent. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles leads the nation with 83% of its 240 parishes offering services in Spanish. Similarly, 78% of parishes in the four dioceses of Southern California offer Spanish-language Masses. Texas and Florida also show strong commitment, with most parishes in South Texas and the Archdiocese of Miami offering such services.

The significance of this growth is underscored by data from the Pew Research Center, which estimates that Latinos make up 33% of the 52 million U.S. Catholics.

Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez, a leader in Hispanic evangelization, has emphasized that the spiritual well-being of Latino Catholics is crucial to the future of the U.S. church. The bishops are particularly concerned about the growing number of young Hispanics leaving the Church and recognize the need for continued efforts to maintain and strengthen their connection to the faith.