Determinants of parishioner satisfaction among practicing Catholics

This study examined determinants of satisfaction with the parish among prac ticing Catholics in Baltimore City. Data were obtained from questionnaires completed by respondents (N = 7658) in 28 urban parishes. Respondents who w ere older, female, married, and less educated were more satisfied. African Americans had lower levels of satisfaction. Positive perceptions of parish life were associated with higher satisfaction. Demographic variables accoun ted for only 4 percent of the variance in satisfaction, while perceptions o f pariah life accounted for an additional 34 percent of the variance. The r ating of the pastor and a measure of moral acid spiritual impact were the s trongest predictors. Contextual analysis showed that respondents in smaller parishes were more satisfied and those with more African Americans had mor e positive parish perceptions. The results suggest that parish satisfaction is a complex phenomenon and represents an important aspect of parish life.