Taking a Closer Look at Young Adult Black Catholics
By Kathleen Merritt
Executive Director for the Diocese of Charleston, Office of Ethnic Ministries
In an effort to better understand and find ways
to encourage more participation in parish life among young adult Black
Catholics; a study was conducted in the Diocese of Charleston. The study was
designed to look at the demographics, attitudinal and behavioral
characteristics of young adult Black Catholics in the Diocese of Charleston.
Surveys and personal interviews were administered among two groups of
participants. The first group consisted of both active and inactive young
adult black Catholics. These participants range in age was 18 to 35 years.
The second group of participants were priests with experience serving in
traditional African American parishes. Results of the study found that
"relationships" was the number one factor surrounding young adult Black
Catholics becoming inactive in the Church. Searching for relationships and
finding love and marriage is very important for young adults. The
participants reported that young adult Black Catholics usually become
attracted to mates that are not Catholic, have been married one or more
times before and not open to developing a better understanding and
appreciation for Catholicism. Marriage issues and lack of knowledge of the
Catholic faith was reported as the number one reason why young adult Black
Catholics leave the Church.
Among the various aspects of Catholic faith
reported by the participants; the belief that receiving the Eucharist is
essential and that Jesus is really present in the Eucharist was shared by
all of the participants. They also believed that to be a good Catholic you
must help the poor and those in need. Only half of the participants believe
that passing on the faith to the next generation was very important. The
most important drawing point for the young adult Black Catholics to attend a
Church service was reported as "great preaching".
The participants identified several areas of
interest for active involvement in parish life. Singles club ranked as
number one followed secondly by neighborhood outreach. Other interest areas
included helping the poor, bible study, poetry slams, being a parish wedding
planner, working with teens and joining the choir. They also felt that
discussions on the Church's teaching on marriage and human sexuality is
greatly needed in our parishes.
The young adults in the study felt that the role
of women and laity should be expanded in the Church. They also felt that it
is their duty to fight racism and to vote on a regular basis. When asked
about their preference of music during mass, Gospel music was most
preferred. Least preferred was bilingual music. The presence of the Church
in African American neighborhoods was viewed as very important and the
participants that were currently active in Catholic parishes reported being
very proud of their parish.
The priests that participated in the study
reported counseling for marriage and baptism the major spiritual needs among
young adult Black Catholics. They also felt that marriage issues and lack of
knowledge of the Catholic faith were the number one reasons why young adult
Catholics leave the Church.
Suggestions for evangelizing young adult Black
Catholics was shared by the priests in the study. They strongly encourage
that we give young adults more leadership roles. They also identified a
possible challenge associated with roles of leadership being assumed by
young adults. Many times young adults become discouraged by older adults not
wanting to make room for these young adults and their new ways of thinking.
Teaching young adults about their faith and
encouraging more time for marriage preparation was identified by the priests
as key steps for retaining young adult Black Catholics. Personal invitations
to join parish ministries was suggested as the best recruitment technique
for getting young adults involved in parish life These priests also believe
that the evangelization of unchurched or fallen away young adults must
involve the whole parish and that personal invitations to church functions
are essential.
