Catholics in the United States and six Latin American countries are taking a more liberal attitude on key issues such as birth control, women’s ordination and priestly celibacy, a new report says — signaling a shift away from long-standing church teachings.
According to the Pew Research Center survey, most Catholics across all seven nations believe the church should permit the use of birth control. Support is highest in Argentina, where 86% are in favor, with the U.S. close behind at 83%.
When it comes to ordaining women, the appetite for change is similarly robust. In most of the countries surveyed, most Catholics say it’s time for women to join the priesthood, reflecting growing pressure for gender inclusivity in church leadership.
On clerical celibacy, opinions are more divided. While two-thirds of Catholics in Argentina, Chile and the U.S. back letting priests marry, Catholics in Mexico and Peru remain more conservative, with majorities opposed to the idea.
The church’s stance on same-sex marriage also finds mixed reception. In Argentina and Chile, most Catholics support the church recognizing marriages between gay and lesbian couples, with U.S. Catholics also leaning in favor.
On the other hand, Catholics in Mexico, Peru, Brazil and Colombia are less supportive, with fewer than half backing that change.
Pew’s data on Pope Francis — Latin America’s first pontiff — shows he still retains widespread appeal, though his popularity has cooled since the early days of his papacy.
In Argentina, his homeland, the drop is most pronounced. A decade ago, nearly all Catholics viewed him favorably, but that figure has fallen to 74%. U.S. Catholics, too, have shown a dip in support, from 85% in 2014 to 75% today, the study says.
Still, many see the pontiff — known for his frequent praise of religious diversity — as a symbol of new things to come. Most respondents agree that his leadership marks a significant shift for the Catholic Church, with many describing it as a “major change.”
The Pew study also noted that Catholics who pray daily tend to be more conservative on church revision than those who pray less frequently.
In Brazil, only 55% of daily-practicing Catholics support allowing unmarried couples living together to receive Communion. By contrast, three-fourths of Brazilian Catholics who don’t often pray like the idea, Pew found.
• Emma Ayers can be reached at eayers@washingtontimes.com.
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