Immigrants represent the new face of the Catholic Church in America. Once solidly Irish, Italian and Polish, Catholicism in America today is turning Hispanic and even a bit Vietnamese and African. Immigration is keeping the church from losing its vitality in our country. Some social analysts also say Catholic immigrants, especially Hispanics, may even be more in tune with official Vatican stances than native-born American Catholics. They can be are conservative on issues of conscience like abortion and gay marriage, which the Church opposes, and they prefer the more traditional devotions. At the same time, they can take a more liberal perspective on social affairs such as helping the sick and the poor. The Church is changing and will continue to change through the great influence of new immigrants.
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