Black Catholics' faith, ties to church are strong, says researcher
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- Black Catholics are more engaged in their faith than their white counterparts, according to a historic national survey conducted by two University of Notre Dame professors in 2011. It also found that culture and faith are closely integrated in the African-American community. Donald Pope-Davis, a sociologist and one of the researchers, told National Black Catholic Congress XI participants July 19 that key findings of the survey indicate that black Catholics express their faith with greater vitality, and 86 percent believe that integrating African-American religious expression into the liturgy is important. Survey respondents also affirmed the desire by black Catholics to become more knowledgeable about the complexities of the Catholic faith as well as the church's traditions and history, Pope-Davis said during his keynote presentation at the congress, which was held July 19-21 in Indianapolis. "Faith Engaged: Empower, Equip, Evangelize" was the theme for the congress, which focused on the discussion and approval of a pastoral plan for black Catholics as its main task. More than 2,200 participants -- including bishops, priests, deacons, men and women religious, laypeople and youths -- represented dioceses from across the country. "The energy has been very high here, which is a good thing," Father Kenneth Taylor, pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Indianapolis and director of the archdiocesan Office of Multicultural Ministry, said during a break in the congress sessions July 20.
INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- Black Catholics are more engaged in their faith than their white counterparts, according to a historic national survey conducted by two University of Notre Dame professors in 2011. It also found that culture and faith are closely integrated in the African-American community. Donald Pope-Davis, a sociologist and one of the researchers, told National Black Catholic Congress XI participants July 19 that key findings of the survey indicate that black Catholics express their faith with greater vitality, and 86 percent believe that integrating African-American religious expression into the liturgy is important. Survey respondents also affirmed the desire by black Catholics to become more knowledgeable about the complexities of the Catholic faith as well as the church's traditions and history, Pope-Davis said during his keynote presentation at the congress, which was held July 19-21 in Indianapolis. "Faith Engaged: Empower, Equip, Evangelize" was the theme for the congress, which focused on the discussion and approval of a pastoral plan for black Catholics as its main task. More than 2,200 participants -- including bishops, priests, deacons, men and women religious, laypeople and youths -- represented dioceses from across the country. "The energy has been very high here, which is a good thing," Father Kenneth Taylor, pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Indianapolis and director of the archdiocesan Office of Multicultural Ministry, said during a break in the congress sessions July 20.
