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NEW ORLEANS—Bishop J. Douglas Wiley has just a tent for a church and a fraction of his congregants, more than 2 1/2 years after Hurricane Katrina.

But, he says, God’s been good, and his parishioners, faithful.

He’s praying the Almighty will remember the sacrifices of his mostly black flock and look kindly if the national economic downturn gets worse.

“The old saying goes, ’When the United States catches a cold, the black community catches pneumonia,”’ said Wiley, whose Life Center Cathedral meets in a large tent in the shadow of his fenced-off, wind-damaged sanctuary. “But traditionally, the church has found a way, through God, ... through difficult times.”

Economists say the billions of dollars pouring into the hurricane recovery could ease the slowdown here. With some neighborhoods left in ruins by the Aug. 29, 2005, storm, construction jobs should be plentiful. Tax collections from purchases of building materials and furniture should keep coming.

Still, the specter of tough times is very worrisome in an area with an economy that’s still recovering from such massive devastation—and churches feel particularly vulnerable.

Some charitable and faith-based groups fear that local residents, worried about their job security and faced with higher prices for gas and food, may scale back their level of giving.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans recently announced plans to close more than two dozen churches and merge the congregations because of financial concerns, post-storm population shifts and the nationwide shortage of priests.

For churches that have seen flocks scatter, the economy is one more thing to add to an already long prayer list.

Many pastors and parishioners believe their faith, and careful budgeting, should carry them through.

On the West Bank, Life Center’s Wiley often preaches about the importance of giving, regardless of the amount. For one person, he says, $10 might be a huge sacrifice, while for another, $100 may be no big deal.

At one recent service, he told the faithful, who had been dancing, clapping and praying, that God feels robbed if he doesn’t receive his tithes and offerings.

“God says, ‘I’ll bless you ...’ He’ll keep your job, he’ll keep your house, he’ll keep your blessing.”

“Yes, he will!” a woman called out.

Beverly Meredith, 65 and a retired clerical worker, said she lives on a fixed income in a FEMA trailer. She doesn’t yet have the money to rebuild her home.

Still, she faithfully gives 10 percent of her income to the church.

“Times may be hard,” she said, “but that amount belongs to the Lord.”