In a new analysis of poll data from 2006-2008, Gallup shows that non-Catholics are more conservative when it comes to core moral issues than Catholics are. Irregular church-goers, both Catholic and non, not surprisingly reject many central moral issues. But what is baffling is that regular Church-going Catholics are less likely to hold moral absolutes about marriage, sexuality, and respect for life than their non-Catholic brothers and sisters.
Take a look at the charts comparing Catholics and non-Catholics at Belief Net. Twenty-four percent of Catholics who attend Mass weekly or more approve of abortion compared to 19% of church-going non-Catholics. Fifty-three percent approve of fornication and embryonic stem cell research, while non-Catholics rack up 30% and 45% respectively. Catholics approve of homosexual relations to the tune of 44% compared to 21% of non-Catholics. If Gallup is right in their analysis the Catholic Church in America is in deep trouble. (But I guess we knew that already despite those who view the world through rose-colored glasses.) Cafeteria Catholics are in the majority. And those of us who stand with Christ and His Church are the faithful, and often abused, remnant.
Well, I suppose that's no surprise. I keep hearing in my head Jesus' lament, "When I return will I find any faith on the earth?" Not much it seems, but there will be a few of us. I'm encouraged when I think of the Catholics of Nagasaki who kept the faith alive for over 200 years after the expulsion of the missionaries (mostly Jesuits) from Japan. Come to think of it, maybe the faith would be in better shape in the U.S. if the Jesuits, with a few notable exceptions, had been expelled after Vatican II.
Ah well, let us pray for a restoration of the faith. Perhaps we need a big infusion of Protestant (and Muslim) converts who bring their moral thinking with them, especially on the life issues. They seem to have it more together than many Catholics.
What do you think is the cause of so many Catholics rejecting the truth? Inquiring minds want to know. Identifying the causes of a problem is the first step in solving it. What's your opinion?
How about 40 years of failing to teach the faith in a clear way? It's pretty hard to judge the morality of something when you are clueless about what morality is.
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