Church‐based Community Activism: A Comparison of Black and White Catholic Congregations

Abstract

Scholars have recently examined the role of black churches in initiating civil rights and social justice activities, community development and rehabilitation projects, and family support and community health outreach programs. Practically all of this research has been on black Protestant churches. This article seeks to address this gap in the literature by investigating the extent to which African-American Catholic congregations engage in social action and social service programs in their communities. Data drawn from a nationwide survey of U.S. Catholic parishes are used to show that black churches are significantly more likely than white churches to engage in social service and social action activities independent of a variety of demographic, organizational, and structural factors known -or suspected -to influence activism. This finding lends support to the argument that the extrareligious functions of black churches -Protestant and Catholic -are more deeply ingrained in these religious institutions than is suggested by some analysts. Equally significant is the finding of positive and significant relationships between churches that have parish councils and leadership training programs and congregational activism. This finding lends support to previous findings that suggest that the organizational structure of religious institutions may influence churchgoers= opportunities for learning and practicing civic skills relevant to community activism.(I)t would appear that the black church needs to continue to exercise power and self-determination in ecclesiastical and civil affairs as a requirement for democratic participation and in defense of the virtues of black manhood and womanhood in American society.-Gayraud Wilmore, Black Religion and Black Radicalism (1990)

Race Differences in Congregational Social Service Activity

“…Analyzing a nationally representative sample of Roman Catholic congregations, Cavendish (2000), like Chaves and Higgins (1992), found that African-American congregations are more likely to support social service programs that are designed to help "disprivileged segments of the surrounding community" (Cavendish 2000:378). After controlling for the existence of congregational leadership training programs for lay members, however, the effect of race on support for social service programs became insignificant.…”

The Least of These: Black Church Children’s and Youth Outreach Efforts

“…Research also suggests that programmatic efforts in the Black Church tradition are influenced by denomination. Furthermore, churches that have a larger, relatively younger, and better educated membership, as well as those that are more financial stabile and have pastor's with more formal education are more apt to sponsor varied programs and events for members and in the Black community (Barnes 2004;Billingsley 1999;Cavendish 2000Cavendish , 2001Day 2001;McRoberts 1999). These factors may influence the ability to attract and assist the young as examined here.…”

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Political Behavior of American Religious Congregations

“…However, by excluding a measure on the racial composition of local congregations, this study does not actually compare predominantly black congregations to white congregations. Other studies that account for both denominational affiliation and race suggest that black congregations are more likely than white congregations to 230 R. K. Brown participate in voter registration efforts, lobbying, protests, and broader social change activities Cavendish 2000). While the above studies are informative, there have not been any multivariate analyses of national data that assess factors linked to church-based community organizing.…”