Sixty percent of American Catholics said they support same-sex marriage, with an overall attitude in agreement with the Pope of changing the religious establishment's focus.
A girl carries the crucifix out of the San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church after Easter Mass in Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico March 31, 2013. (Photo by Brian Snyder/Reuters)
American Catholics think the Church needs to stop concentrating on social issues.
They agreed with Pope Francis that the religious establishment has become too focused on homosexuality, abortion, and contraceptives, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released Friday. Between observant and less observant Catholics, 68% said they support the new papal attitude, while 23% disagreed.
Sixty percent of Catholics were in favor of same-sex marriage, compared to the 56% of all U.S. adults. The religious opinion about abortion is similar to the overall U.S. adult ratings. Some 16% of Catholics said abortion should be legal in all cases, compared to 19% of the American population.
In addition, 60% of the country’s Catholics support the ordination of women priests.
Earlier this week the Pope promised to change the ways the Vatican conducts business, including an unprecedented move to open the books on the city’s bank.
The new Catholic leader, who succeeded Pope Benedict XVI earlier this year, received a 36% “very favorable” opinion from Catholics and a 53% “favorable” opinion. Four percent rated him as “unfavorable.”