Exploring Consideration of Vocations in the Catholic Community

CONSIDERATION OF A VOCATION TO PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE AMONG NEVER-MARRIED U.S. CATHOLICS --CARA SURVEY REPORT October October 2012 2012 ANSH ANSH REV. JOHN GUTHRIE, S.T.L. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR USCCB SECRETARIAT OF CLERGY, CONSECRATED LIFE & VOCATIONS

FUNDING

POWERPOINT AVAILABLE ONLINE: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and- teachings/vocations/priesthood/ priestly-life-and-ministry/ (FOR WI-FI HERE OR ACCESS LATER)

FULL REPORT ONLINE: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/ vocations/survey-of-youth- and-young-adults-on-vocations.cfm

CONTEXT FOR OUR DISCUSSION Encuentro y misi n#45: La promoci n de vocaciones al sacerdocio, al diaconado, y a la vida consagrada deber ser parte integral de los esfuerzos del ministerio hispano.

FURTHER CONTEXT Bishop Daniel Flores Talk on Hispanic Vocations at ANSH, October 2008: We ought to try to create the culture of vocations. The language of vocation should be taught and understood Latin American cultures maintain a strong focus on the primacy of the word spoken by persons of trust The participation of Spanish-speaking priests who have roots in the culture is vital

WHY THIS SURVEY? Annual Surveys of the Newly Ordained Annual Surveys of Perpetually Professed

ANNUAL SURVEYS OF NEW PRIESTS (2012) /RELIGIOUS (2011) 2012 2011 National Caucasian / White Hispanic / Latino Asian / Pacific Islander African / African American 71% 66% 15% 10% 9% 58% 34% 17% 4% 3% 4% 3%

COUNTRY OF BIRTH OF ORDINANDS United States Vietnam Columbia Mexico Poland Philippines El Salvador Other 71% 5% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 9% Total Hispanics / Latinos: 15% U.S. Born Hispanics / Latinos: <5%

FUTURE ORDINATION CLASSES (SEMINARIANS 2011)

PERCENTAGE OF HISPANICS BY GENERATION

VOCATION SURVEY CHARACTERISTICS VOCATION SURVEY CHARACTERISTICS Self-administered, national online survey, conducted in May and June 2012 Scientific, probability-based sample of 1,428 never-married Catholics ages 14 and older Males (average age 26): Males (average age 26): Six in ten are adults (18 or older) 36% Non-Hispanic white adults, 20% non-Hispanic white teens 19% Hispanic adults, 16% Hispanic teens 4% Other race adults, 5% other race teens Females (average age 28): Females (average age 28): Seven in ten are adults (18 or older) 40% Non-Hispanic white adults, 15% non-Hispanic white teens 22% Hispanic adults, 13% Hispanic teens 7% Other race adults, 3% other race teens

Why do you think you have never considered this? Percentage of male comments referencing: All Respondents General lack of interest Celibacy Have not had the calling Other life goals Doubts faith, not religious enough Lifestyle Do not want commitment necessary or restrictions imposed Disagreements with Catholic Church or teachings Money or financial issues Impact of clergy sex abuse Self-identifies as gay Other Non-Hispanic white 34% 18 8 6 10 5 4 5 2 1 1 6 Other Race 41% 19 2 12 8 4 2 2 0 4 0 8 Hispanic 46% 16 10 9 6 2 2 2 2 1 2 5 39% 18 8 8 8 4 3 3 2 1 1 6

Why do you think you have never considered this? Percentage of female comments referencing: All Respondents General lack of interest Celibacy Have not had the calling Lifestyle Doubts faith, not religious enough Other life goals Do not want commitment necessary or restrictions imposed Disagreement with Catholic Church or teachings Money or financial issues Self-identifies as lesbian Other Non-Hispanic white 28% 18 10 11 10 6 6 3 0 <1 8 Other Race 33% 13 10 15 8 4 10 0 2 0 4 Hispanic 38% 13 12 7 7 9 7 0 0 0 7 31% 16 11 10 9 7 7 2 <1 <1 7

KEY SUBGROUPS KEY SUBGROUPS MOST LIKELY TO HAVE CONSIDERED A VOCATION MOST LIKELY TO HAVE CONSIDERED A VOCATION Most important: Most important: Those who attended Catholic educational institutions at any level Those who were encouraged to consider a vocation by any type of person Those who personally know priests and men and women religious Those involved in parish youth and young adult groups

SUBGROUP: CATHOLIC EDUCATION Catholic Educational Enrollment Primary only only 16% 4% 17 6 13 1 16 10 20 2 7 3 29 8 Primary, secondary, and college 4% 1 4 5 6 3 1 Secondary Primary & secondary 10% 10 7 3 15 2 18 Primary & college 1% 0 0 0 1 1 0 College only 2% 2 0 2 3 4 1 None 64% 63 76 64 54 80 43 All respondents Non-Hispanic white teen Hispanic teen Other race teen Non-Hispanic white adult Hispanic adult Other race adult Minority student enrollment in Catholic schools has been hit hard by the recession. In 2005-06 NCEA reported that 27% of students in U.S. Catholic schools were something other than Non-Hispanic white. This dropped to 19% in the 2011-12 school year (currently 14% of students are Hispanic).

SUBGROUP: ENCOURAGEMENT (MALE) Were you ever encouraged to consider a vocation as a priest or religious brother by any of these people? Never-married male Catholic teens and adults responding Yes : Non-Hispanic white 14% 10 9 6 5 5 5 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 Hispanic 3% 5 5 10 5 3 2 3 2 6 1 2 3 1 0 1 Other race 9% 8 14 3 6 8 5 2 2 2 0 6 2 0 2 0 Parish Priest/Priest Chaplain Mother Grandmother Other family members Father Parishioner from the church you attend Teacher/Catechist Religious Sister Religious Brother Grandfather Deacon Youth Minister Friend or co-worker Campus Minister Military Chaplain Bishop

SUBGROUP: ENCOURAGEMENT (FEMALE) Were you ever encouraged to consider a vocation as a religious sister by any of these people? Never-married female Catholic teens and adults responding Yes : Non-Hispanic white 9% 8 6 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 <1 <1 0 Hispanic 4% 2 6 5 6 4 4 1 <1 3 1 <1 0 1 0 0 Other race 5% 14 11 6 12 5 3 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Religious Sister Parish Priest/Priest Chaplain Teacher/Catechist Mother Grandmother Other family members Father Parishioner from the church you attend Deacon Youth Minister Grandfather Friend or co-worker Bishop Religious Brother Campus Minister Military Chaplain

OTHER KEY SUBGROUPS OTHER KEY SUBGROUPS Also Important: Weekly Mass attenders (now and in high school) Those who lived in households where parents talked to them about religion at least once a week Participants in prayer and devotional activities, groups, or programs (e.g., Bible study, Eucharistic adoration, retreats, and prayer groups) Those belonging to a group that encourages devotion to Mary Those who regularly read the Bible or pray with Scripture Participants in World Youth Day or a National Catholic Youth Conference

HISPANIC CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES Institutionally they are less connected to the Church However, Latinos have some unique cultural supports for religious participation. While Hispanics are no different than others in regular Mass attendance, they are much more likely to participate in prayer and devotional practices in the home, and to attend Marian feast day Masses. Spiritual talk at home rates higher among Latina respondents, particularly during high school. Higher participation rates in World Youth Day, and higher participation in NCYC for Hispanic adults.

A KEY CHALLENGE: LEVEL OF EDUCATION Highest Level of Education among Adult Respondents Less than high school Male adults Non-Hispanic white 4% Hispanic 26 Other race 0 Female adults Non-Hispanic white 2% Hispanic 18 Other race 2 High school 32% 38 26 32% 42 17 Some college 35% 17 32 37% 24 31 Bachelor's degree or more 29% 19 42 29% 17 50

For further information UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS SECRETARIAT OF CLERGY, CONSECRATED LIFE AND VOCATIONS USCCB.ORG/VOCATIONS EMAIL: CCLV@USCCB.ORG CENTER FOR APPLIED RESEARCH IN THE APOSTOLATE cara.georgetown.edu email: cara@georgetown.edu