Poll: U.S. Catholics want a younger, more liberal pope

[Bill_Martin]

“Do you attend Mass?”

“Yes.”

click

 

[ProVobis]

If you polled Western European Catholics, exactly how different do you think the results would be? Even if you went to Latin America, you’d probably find plenty of Catholics who wish the church would stop telling people not to use condoms and start talking more about social welfare and charity programs.

True, but is their understanding of the term “liberal” the same as ours? I mean, as opposed to what?

 

[Jerry-Jet]

Liberal is bad everywhere in the universe.

 

[Midwest88]

It is a misconception for Catholics like you regard more progressive Catholics as “cafeteria” ones.
Let me remind us all of something.
We are not whom to judge others, for God will judge us all.
God bless, my brothers!

1. It’s not a misconception no matter how ‘hurtful’ or ‘mean’ the cafeteria label is. Call it what it is, please.
2. If we cannot judge then we render ourselves useless and that pretty much is an insult to our reasoning. We (I) are not damning their souls next to Judas. I think this type of judgment is fair and healthy. To stand by while things go wrong is foolish.

 

[LisaA]

No I doubt the next time either. I’ve** heard JP2 installed a lot of conservatives as cardinals**. At the same time I have no idea the make up of every future College of Cardinals generations ahead, their thinking on the liberal - conservative spectrum, or where the Holy Spirit might lead.

Well what you deem “conservative” faithful Catholics would deem orthodox. I don’t think there is so much a spectrum of liberal and conservative as orthodox to heretical. The latter is more likely to be found in the media than in the college of Cardinals.

Lisa

 

[CatholicsRule]

God Bless our next Pope, no matter where he’s from. Tough times in this world right now.

 

[CMatt25]

If only about 25% attend weekly, I can’t help but wonder if the pews would be warmed by more bodies of those 75% of US Catholics who don’t attend weekly, if they at least heard today’s Catholic Church placing emphasis beyond the few issues She is perceived to emphasize today, beyond issues such as birth control and homosexuality for instance. I think some people might want to hear more on the poor and the growing gap between rich and poor. And on the sick. Especially since they know the emphasis Jesus placed on those. More on war vs peace since they know Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. More on protecting the environment on God’s earth. Values such as those. Or perhaps the message of those values is not being heard. Being drowned out by a few other issues.

 

[jwinch2]

So we really don’t know if the Church held different views on such matters, how Mass attendance would be and if even more would attend.

Sure we do. All we have to do is compare what other Christian groups see in their attendance through the same span of time, and compare within our own group as I suggested above.

 

[CMatt25]

Sure we do. All we have to do is compare what other Christian groups see in their attendance through the same span of time, and compare within our own group as I suggested above.

Not an exact comparison. Many Catholics who have dropped out of the practice, still would not attend another Christian’s group. They simply stay home on Sunday mornings.

 

[mburn16]

If only about 25% attend weekly, I can’t help but wonder if the pews would be warmed by more bodies of those 75% of US Catholics who don’t attend weekly, if they at least heard today’s Catholic Church placing emphasis beyond the few issues She is perceived to emphasize today, beyond issues such as birth control and homosexuality for instance. I think some people might want to hear more on the poor and the growing gap between rich and poor. And on the sick. Especially since they know the emphasis Jesus placed on those. More on war vs peace since they know Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. More on protecting the environment on God’s earth. Values such as those. Or perhaps the message of those values is not being heard. Being drowned out by a few other issues.

Once again, however, it isn’t up to the political desires of Catholic liberals to dictate what the church teaches. The Church focuses on issues like life and family because these are the fundamental tenants of society - and because life is the single greatest gift from God. We don’t need a kumbaya Christianity that sweeps the things people don’t want to hear under the rug.

More than anything else, its the social questions that we need the church to lecture on…because that is exactly where people are straying.

 

[Maria1993]

[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]

Read Humanae Vitae,bet you will change your mind re this issue.

I should read that too.

that is WHY YOU SHOULD BE OPEN TO CHILDREN when getting married. This is what happens when sex gets recreational. If you think children tear a marriage apart…ay ay ay. Its not the childs fault.

 

[jwinch2]

Not an exact comparison. Many Catholics who have dropped out of the practice, still would not attend another Christian’s group. They simply stay home on Sunday mornings.

Which suggests your premise is entirely wrong. It has nothing to do with the teachings of the Church and much to do with people simple becoming secularized. If it was the teachings of the Church that was the problem, they would just find another Church which would confirm them in their heresy.

The title of this thread should read: “People want to be lied to and told sin is OK”.

 

[Jeanne_S]

Which suggests your premise is entirely wrong. It has nothing to do with the teachings of the Church and much to do with people simple becoming secularized. If it was the teachings of the Church that was the problem, they would just find another Church which would confirm them in their heresy.

The title of this thread should read: “People want to be lied to and told sin is OK”.

THiS! Or people want to be lied to and be told there is no such thing as sin!

 

[onmyknees]

If only about 25% attend weekly, I can’t help but wonder if the pews would be warmed by more bodies of those 75% of US Catholics who don’t attend weekly, if they at least heard today’s Catholic Church placing emphasis beyond the few issues She is perceived to emphasize today, beyond issues such as birth control and homosexuality for instance. I think some people might want to hear more on the poor and the growing gap between rich and poor. And on the sick. Especially since they know the emphasis Jesus placed on those. More on war vs peace since they know Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. More on protecting the environment on God’s earth. Values such as those. Or perhaps the message of those values is not being heard. Being drowned out by a few other issues.

Well, I think that the pews are not filled for some of these reasons. Certainly you know about all the Catholics who left in the 70’s and 80’s, (including me) because our faith was watered down with happy clappy, peace and love type catechesis. Some other Catholics left due to the free culture that started in the 60’s. Others stayed because they liked the changes happening in the Church, standing for communion, women being able to participate at the pulpit and so on.

We actually read the entire bible in 3 years if you attend mass. The gospels teach about the Beatitudes (Blessed are the peacemakers) giving to the poor, visiting the sick, and loving your neighbor. BTW the Catholic Charities give the most to the poor of all the world!

Now, I have noticed that the young people are excited about the traditions and teachings of the Church. Like someone already mentioned they want the real deal not watered down Catholicism. It is timeless and the very Truth of God so I believe what Jesus said, “The powers of death will not prevail against it.”

 

[onmyknees]

By their fruits, you shall know them.

Check out the diocese which have had traditional bishops who have worked to foster a renewal of the liturgy and catechesis and compare them to those who have not taken these steps. Also, compare parishes within a particular diocese between those who have good solid catechesis and a sense of sacred in the liturgy and those who do not. Then, look at the number of vocations to the priesthood or to be consecrated religious. Take a look at Mass attendance and the average age of those at Mass.

If you do all of that, you will see quite soon that this poll is completely wrong. The diocese and parishes who have stronger Mass attendance and the ones who are fostering vocations are those who are going in exactly the opposite direction as this poll suggests. They are preaching the truth, they provide faithful catechesis, and they are working towards a sense of the sacred in the liturgy. The diocese and parishes who are dying out, have few vocations, no young families, etc. are the ones who where modernity has run rampant and no one has yet stepped up to the plate to stop it.

Young people who are serious about their faith want the real deal. They don’t want watered down Catholicism which apologizes for the Gospel more than it proclaims it. There are many stories about this in the last year or so, when one takes the time to look beyond the secular media. patheos.com/blogs/badcatholic/2013/02/the-catholic-church-young-people-actually-want.html

By their fruits, indeed.

As for the rest, are we really surprised? Disobedience and pride has been popular since day 1. But here’s the thing, heresy doesn’t stop being wrong, just because it has become accepted. Its still heresy, and thus still wrong. No poll, vote, discussion, etc. is ever going to change that.

 

[ProVobis]

Liberal is bad everywhere in the universe.

And labelling and stereotyping aren’t?

 

[ProVobis]

Once again, however, it isn’t up to the political desires of Catholic liberals to dictate what the church teaches.

Have you read the book “The Rhine Flows Into the Tiber, A History of Vatican II”? In it the author separates attendees as either liberals or a conservatives. It seems “liberals” outvoted “conservatives” on every issue. Does this mean Vatican II was bad?

 

[Lapey]

If only about 25% attend weekly, I can’t help but wonder if the pews would be warmed by more bodies of those 75% of US Catholics who don’t attend weekly, if they at least heard today’s Catholic Church placing emphasis beyond the few issues She is perceived to emphasize today, beyond issues such as birth control and homosexuality for instance. I think some people might want to hear more on the poor and the growing gap between rich and poor. And on the sick. Especially since they know the emphasis Jesus placed on those. More on war vs peace since they know Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. More on protecting the environment on God’s earth. Values such as those. Or perhaps the message of those values is not being heard. Being drowned out by a few other issues.

Matt, this is hog wash…the Catholic Church is the largest of any charitable organizations and this is not the “corporation” this is people. Homosexuality is always evil, artificial BC is always evil, abortion…etc. You can harp on your liberal talking points all you want but it does not change truth.

Even if the polls were 100% in favor of everything the Church now stands against She will not change. Why is this? Because She cannot go against Truth Who is Jesus Christ. Look how large the percentage was against Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist in John 6…there were hundreds of disciples when He started, but only 12 stayed with Him. Let’s say the number was 300, that is 96% to 4% if my unused math is correct. Did He change His teaching? Has the Church changed the teaching of the Eucharist since? Nope…

There is no such thing as a liberal pope who will change any teaching on any of these doctrines, doctrines cannot and never change. You will never see women being ordained nor will you see ABC and/or abortion being accepted and okay and not grave sin.

The Church no matter how many times you tell yourself She is, She is neither conservative nor liberal. But this is all you see, sadly there is nothing more than this for you.

 

[Lapey]

And labelling and stereotyping aren’t?

Liberal equals abortion, acceptance of homosexual activity, ABC, ect = so lableling these bad is acurate because the Church has declared them intrinsically evil. So, no to your question.

 

[Lapey]

Have you read the book “The Rhine Flows Into the Tiber, A History of Vatican II”? In it the author separates attendees as either liberals or a conservatives. It seems “liberals” outvoted “conservatives” on every issue. Does this mean Vatican II was bad?

The product of Vat II was not bad…but the “spirit of Vatt II” has been very destructive to the Church. That spirit has caused our liturgies in many ways to fail to appear different, fail to appear reverent and holy, and fail to appear special and distinct from protestant services. People don’t see anything worth dying for in the typical Catholic parish.

If I had to ask you if a gun man would storm in during Mass this Sunday, would you throw your body in the line of fire to protect the priest or the Eucharist?