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SuscipeMeDomine
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Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield (Illinois) asked Benedictine University to conduct a study showing why Catholics in the diocese left the Church and why other Catholics stay. Results are here: ben.edu/catholicsurvey/upload/Joy-and-Grievance-PUBLIC-FINAL-sep-11-2014.pdf
Four major reasons emerged why respondents stopped attending Mass or distanced themselves from the Catholic Church:
Four major reasons emerged why respondents stopped attending Mass or distanced themselves from the Catholic Church:
- Issues with Church doctrine, especially among more educated individuals. Those with graduate school experience take higher exception with Church doctrine on birth control, women as priests, divorce/remarriage, fertility treatments, and homosexuality than individuals with a high school degree.
- Lack of connection to the Catholic Church. Many individuals reported their spiritual needs were not being met, they lost interest in going to Mass, they were dissatisfied with the Mass, and/or they no longer believe the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Church scandals. Individuals, particularly those 50 years old or older, felt there are too many scandals in the Catholic Church and inappropriate behavior such as sex scandals, lying, and cover-ups showed up frequently in open-ended responses.
- A perceived lack of Christian values at the level of Church, parish, or priest. Some individuals felt judged in their congregation whereas others have had many friends leave the Church due to unfriendly or unwelcoming experiences.
- Most of the respondents indicated sense of community was the most important reason why they attend their parish and what they like most about their parish.
- The sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, were indicated by many respondents as being especially important to their Catholic beliefs or practices.
- Church doctrines, especially birth control, were indicated by many respondents as Catholic beliefs or practices that they find troubling.
- Although overall extremely satisfied with their parish experience, some respondents suggested Mass changes (e.g., homily or music) or more welcoming or approachable priests would improve their parish experience.
- Parish priests or pastors were the most frequently given responses for what parishioners liked least about their parish and for those considering separating from their Parish, the Catholic Church or both.
- A personal invitation from a parish priest or parishioner was most often indicated as advice for how to reach Springfield Catholics who had left their parish, the Catholic Church, or both.
- “My daughter came out to me as gay, and I went through a divorce after 28 years of marriage. The Church doesn’t want either one of us.”
- “We were both devout catholics [sic] who tried to have children with no luck. We decided to go with in-vitro fertilization and the result is 3 awesome boys through 2 pregnancies. The catholis [sic] church rails against that.”
- “I was only going through the motions and when I asked the Pastor for Spiritual help with my struggles I was basically just told to pray.”
- “I’m still seeking a church with a sense of community, friendliness. I joke with my friends that I’ve gone to a church for 7 years and no one has ever spoken to me.”
- “I was tired of hearing I was a bad person for voting for a democrat. While I do not believe in abortion, I identify more with the Democratic Party on other issues. I felt alienated every time I went to mass.”
- “when my ex-husband was very ill and near death. I asked a deacon at St. Al’s if he could give him a blessing. He said he could not because he was not a Catholic. I have heard of priests blessing bibles, houses and rosaries - but they cannot bless a human being?”
- “My parish was a cold place. You could walk in on Sunday, go to mass and walk out without speaking to another soul, I longed for fellowship.”