A majority of Americans who identify as Catholic are not — rejecting many of the core teachings of the Catholic Church.
A recent survey by Pew found that 60 percent of self-described Catholics in the U.S. believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Thirty-nine percent said it should be legal in most cases, while nearly a full quarter — 22 percent — said abortion should be legal in all cases. Just 28 percent of Catholics in America said abortion should be illegal in all cases.
The report also found that a substantial proportion of U.S. so-called Catholics advocate for more progressive changes within the Church, including acceptance of contraception, married priests, female priests, and same-sex marriage recognition.
Eighty-three percent of respondents said they want the church to allow contraception, 69 percent said priests should be able to marry, 64 percent said women should be allowed to become priestesses, and more than half — 54 percent — believe the Church should recognize same-sex marriage.
The new survey and its findings come on the heels of Pope Francis’s decision in December 2023 to allow priests to bless individuals in same-sex relationships — however such blessings are not marriage and cannot take part during Church services. Last year, the Catholic Church, which has become increasingly liberal under the guidance of Pope Francis, decreed that transgendered individuals could be baptized.
