Abstract
The present study assessed self-reported religiosity, spirituality, faith-related behaviors, leadership styles, and personality dimensions of 156 Hispanic Catholic deacons, based on varied educational degrees assisting in Hispanic (n = 91) or non-Hispanic (n = 65) parishes. Results found no significant differences on any self-reported variables for congregation ethnic status and similar reported rates for religious commitment, spiritual transcendence beliefs, leadership styles, and most faith-related practices. Highly educated deacons (i.e., those with graduate degrees; n = 49) reported lower rates of enthusiasm for worship but higher rates of conscientiousness and openness to experience than bachelor (n = 38) or less educated (n = 67) Hispanic deacons. It appears that clergy of color across educational levels (but regardless of their congregation’s ethnic identity), practice and hold varied faith-based beliefs and personality styles.
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