American Catholics say that their church and bishops are out of touch, but they feel far more warmly toward their local priests and nuns. Benedict apparently made little impression on Catholics in his eight years as pope, with half saying that they had no opinion of him. Three-fourths of those polled said that they thought it was a good idea for him to resign.
Is your opinion of Pope Benedict XVI favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't heard enough about Pope Benedict yet to have an opinion?
40%
9%
25%
25%
Overall, do you think the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI has helped the Church, hurt the Church, or has it been a mixed blessing?
26%
12%
52%
10%
Overall, would you rate the way things are going in the Catholic Church in the United States today as excellent, good, not so good or poor?
50%
35%
10%
Would you say things in the Catholic Church in the United States are generally getting better, getting worse or staying about the same?
17%
22%
60%
In general, do you think the Catholic Church is in touch with the needs of Catholics today?
39%
53%
7%
In general, do you think most bishops in the United States are in touch with the needs of Catholics today?
38%
49%
13%
In general, do you think most parish priests in the United States are in touch with the needs of Catholics today?
63%
29%
9%
In general, do you think YOUR parish priests are in touch with the needs of Catholics today?
72%
20%
7%
In general, do you think most nuns in the United States are in touch with the needs of Catholics today?
51%
23%
25%
How closely would you say you have you been following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the selection of a new pope?
15%
43%
27%
15%
Do you think it was a good idea or a bad idea for Pope Benedict XVI to resign or should he have remained in office until his death?
75%
17%
The Next Pope
The next pope should lead the church in a new direction and make its teachings more liberal, those polled said. Most Catholics said they wanted the next pope to be “someone younger, with new ideas.”
As you may know, the College of Cardinals meets in Rome to select a new Pope. How much confidence do you have that the cardinals will select a pope that is in touch with the needs of Catholics today?
29%
45%
16%
7%
Some people have discussed the possibility that the next pope could come from Europe or Latin America or from Africa. Do you think the next pope should be someone from Europe, someone from Latin America, someone from Africa or from someplace else?
13%
14%
13%
46%
7%
Would you like to see the next pope generally continue the same teachings as Pope Benedict XVI or change to more conservative teachings or change to more liberal teachings?
19%
18%
54%
9%
Which comes closer to what you're looking for in the next Pope? 1. Someone younger with new ideas OR 2. Someone older with more experience.
66%
26%
Any new pope will be facing a number of issues in his first years. I'm going to read some of them, and for each one would you tell me whether you think the new pope should be for it, or against it. Should the next pope be for or against letting priests get married?
69%
26%
Should the next pope be for or against letting women become priests?
69%
28%
Should the next pope be for or against legalized abortion?
36%
56%
7%
Should the next pope be for or against the death penalty?
36%
56%
Should the next pope be for or against the use of artificial methods of birth control?
71%
25%
Should the next pope be for or against the use of condoms to prevent the spread of H.I.V. and other diseases?
91%
Catholic Teachings & Traditions
The poll suggested, however, that the papacy no longer occupies the exalted position it once did. Catholics said they would be more likely to follow their conscience on “difficult moral questions” than to follow the teachings of the pope.
Are you in favor of or opposed to letting Catholic priests get married?
66%
26%
Are you in favor of or opposed to letting women be ordained as Catholic priests?
66%
28%
Are you in favor of or opposed to the use of artificial methods of birth control?
79%
16%
Do you believe the pope is infallible when he teaches on matters of morality and faith, or not?
40%
46%
14%
On difficult moral questions, which are you more likely to follow – the teachings of the Pope, or your conscience?
13%
78%
7%
Do you think it’s possible to disagree with the pope on issues like birth control, abortion or divorce and still be a good Catholic?
83%
13%
U.S. Health Insurance
Even observant Catholics are not following the bishops’ lead on issues that the Church has recently been fighting – artificial birth control and gay marriage.
Do you think health insurance plans for all employees should have to cover the full cost of birth control for their female employees, or should employers be allowed to opt out of covering that, based on religious or moral objections?
45%
50%
What about for religiously affiliated employers, such as a hospital or university?
43%
52%
Do you think the debate on this issue is more about religious freedom or more about women's health and their rights?
40%
50%
Do you think that some government policies restrict the religious liberty of Catholics in the United States?