Korean Americans and the Changing Face of Twentieth-Century Catholic Immigration

Abstract

Abstract:Catholicism's universality creates a natural connection between those in the diaspora and their homeland. This connection has allowed immigrants of Korean descent in the United States to maintain their religious practices within their cultural heritage. Furthering this dynamic has been the constant stream of visiting Korean clergy made necessary due to the lack of vocations in the U.S. This article surveys the impact of Korean immigration on their faith communities in the U.S. An examination of the social and political events of both the homeland and the host country illustrates how these immigrant faith communities have adapted since their initial arrival in the U.S.