“A Large Part of the Solution of the Migrant Problem Must be Handled by the Church and Her Spiritual Ministry”: Embracing Latin American Community Formation in Chicago’s Archdiocese, 1958–1970

This project examines the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and their attempts to accommodate an increasing Hispanic population in the local Chicago area before, during, and after the events of the Second Vatican Council. Two archbishops' careers are compared, Cardinal Albert Meyer and Cardinal John Cody from 1958 to 1970, the most significant years related to Vatican II. Their attempts to form relationships with Spanish speakers encouraged financial and service-based support and many of Cody’s methods were similar to Meyer’s. However, activity increased dramatically during Cody’s tenure and more church figures became involved with the Spanish speaking community, creating a larger coalition of religious clergy who sought to create opportunities for Latin Americans through the church. The work elaborates on the formation of minority communities within Catholic spheres of influence. It explores the perceptions of Latin Americans through the eyes of the social institution and contributes to public understanding of how Latin Americans could navigate American religious spaces during an era of theological transformation within the Global Church.