Synod: Poll finds practicing, non-practicing Catholics in America are worlds apart

[SuscipeMeDomine]

So often we read that a majority of Catholics favor or oppose a certain issue. But the press never (or seldom) identifies who they regard as Catholic. Is someone Catholic if they identify themselves as Catholic? Or if they go to Mass? Or meet some other criteria?

The Knights of Columbus surveyed Catholic voters and found big differences of opinion between those who are practicing Catholics and those who are not. The survey found that 65 percent of American Catholics are practicing, (defined as attending Mass at least once or twice a month), while 35 percent were non-practicing and attend Mass less often.

John Allen reports on the findings at ncrcafe.org/node/2194

The survey found that 59% of practicing Catholics describe themselves as pro-life, as opposed to 44 percent of the general American population, while 65 percent of non-practicing Catholics say they are pro-choice, as opposed to 50 percent of the general population.

On same-sex marriage, 46 percent of non-practicing Catholics are in favor, as opposed to just 30 percent of all Americans, while 75 percent of practicing Catholics are opposed.

Carl Anderson, the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus said “Catholics who are no longer practicing hold positions far outside the mainstream of Catholicism, and have significant disagreements with the moral teaching of the church.”

 

[KathleenElsie]

Many people will say they are Catholic and yet they never go to Mass. I consider them to be ethnic catholic.

So the results of this is not a surprise to me.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

To be truly Catholic, one must accept and believe **ALL **that the Holy Catholic Church believes and teaches. If they do not, regardless of what they call themselves, they are not truly Catholic.

Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[Phemie]

To be truly Catholic, one must accept and believe **ALL **that the Holy Catholic Church believes and teaches. If they do not, regardless of what they call themselves, they are not truly Catholic.

Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

Except that even if they never set foot in church again the Church still considers them Catholic.

 

[marci]

The survey found that 59% of practicing Catholics describe themselves as pro-life, as opposed to 44 percent of the general American population, while 65 percent of non-practicing Catholics say they are pro-choice, as opposed to 50 percent of the general population.

 

[Phemie]

Heck, my former pastor told me that when a family told him they were going to take their daughter for an abortion he replied “you have to do whatever is best for her and the family” and felt they were making the right choice.

His sermons usually were of the “God loves us no matter what we do” without ever mentioning repentance and confession. We got more “Chicken Soup for the Soul” than “How to Save Your Soul” and if I brought up a ‘rule’ in conversation during the week the Sunday sermon would be connected to the Pharisees in some way.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

Heck, my former pastor told me that when a family told him they were going to take their daughter for an abortion he replied “you have to do whatever is best for her and the family” and felt they were making the right choice.

His sermons usually were of the “God loves us no matter what we do” without ever mentioning repentance and confession. We got more “Chicken Soup for the Soul” than “How to Save Your Soul” and if I brought up a ‘rule’ in conversation during the week the Sunday sermon would be connected to the Pharisees in some way.

This one post gives the reason why it is so important that we pray for our clergy. These priests who have this attitude are responsible for the souls of their flock. How many are they leading astray. Pray for them. Pray daily for them. Pray for all priests and deacons daily like you have never prayed before.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[Nickkname]

Not surprised about the findings.

Some see the glass and say it’s half-full, others see the glass and say it’s a dragon.

 

[Another_Mary]

A practicing Catholic is one who attends Mass once or twice a month?

Well, anyway, I was glad to hear last Sunday’s homily remind us of the intrinsic evil of abortion. And this was in a parish in the San Francisco Archdiocese!

 

[KathleenElsie]

A practicing Catholic is one who attends Mass once or twice a month?

Well, anyway, I was glad to hear last Sunday’s homily remind us of the intrinsic evil of abortion. And this was in a parish in the San Francisco Archdiocese!

I wonder what the findings were for those that attend Mass a couple of times a week.

 

[OriginalJS]

This seems to me to be a sophomoric semantic argument over the impossibly broad question, “What is a Catholic?” (As far as I know, the Church recognizes as Catholic anyone who has been confirmed.) When the discussion is opened however, varied opinions are expressed with adjectives such as, good, bad, devout, practicing, believing, non-practicing,
recovering, and cafeteria among a host of others. This leads to nothing, just like those late night dormitory discussions of our youth.

It might have been more accurate to describe the poll as showing differences between Catholics who attend Mass two or more times a month and those who attend less than two times a month.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

I will simply ask all to remember what Jesus said about those who are “luke warm”. This alone should make one more fervent. What is the saying? “Let those who have ears hear”.
Prayers & blessings
Deacon Ed B

 

[quiet52]

Many people will say they are Catholic and yet they never go to Mass. I consider them to be ethnic catholic.

So the results of this is not a surprise to me.

Catholics who are not practicing the faith, or who reject some of the teachings of the Church, are still Catholcis – they’re just not faithful ones.

 

[Phemie]

This seems to me to be a sophomoric semantic argument over the impossibly broad question, “What is a Catholic?” (As far as I know, the Church recognizes as Catholic anyone who has been confirmed.)

No, she recognizes as Catholic anyone who has been baptized in the Catholic Church.

 

[Bennie_P]

No, she recognizes as Catholic anyone who has been baptized in the Catholic Church.

In reality anyone baptised in the name of the father, son and holy spirit. Being in full communion is another story…

 

[Ender]

I can’t believe that 41% of practicing catholics do not describe themselves as pro-life. Sounds like their needs to be a few more homilies on intrinsic evil.

In the last election, practicing Catholics (attended mass at least weekly) went 60%-40% for the Republican (pro-life) nominee. It is not surprising that the percentage was highest among this group. What was not remarked on, however, was the 40% who supported the pro-abortion side.

We tend to misperceive what is going on there; those 40% are as serious about their faith as are the 60%. That this number is as high as it is I attribute directly to the bishops and documents like Faithful Citizenship that provide intellectual support and moral cover for those wanting to support pro-abortion candidates. These are the Catholics we should look to first as they are the ones who are the most likely to be influenced by a clear and unambiguous explanation of Church teaching. The problem is finding bishops willing to stand up and be clear and unambiguous. Does anyone really think that there won’t be a significant number of bishops voting for pro-abortion candidates in this election?

Ender

 

[muskieman]

Catholics who are not practicing the faith, or who reject some of the teachings of the Church, are still Catholcis – they’re just not faithful ones.

Many Protestants believe some things in the Catholic church!