POLL: Strong Majority of Church-going Catholics Believe Public Officials Who Oppose Church Teachings Create Confusion and Disunity

They Should Not Present Themselves for Communion 

“Catholic politicians who advocate for policies considered ‘gravely immoral’ create confusion and discord among believers.  Bishops have an obligation to act.” 

~ Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote ~ 

Madison, WI – Today, the national faith-based advocacy organization, CatholicVote, released a national poll showing an overwhelming majority (83%) of Catholics who regularly attend mass believe Catholic public officials who oppose church teaching create confusion and disunity.  The poll also showed that 74% of mass-attending Catholics say these officials should not present themselves for communion.  

“Catholic politicians who advocate for policies considered ‘gravely immoral’ create confusion and discord among believers,” said Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote. “Catholics’ concern about the flouting of Catholic social teaching by public leaders is less about politics and more about the integrity of the faith, along with reverence and respect due the Holy Eucharist.  This polling data should bolster the confidence of Catholic bishops as they prepare to discuss how to recover an understanding of the beauty and richness of the sacrament – among all Catholics.  The data is very clear: Bishops have an obligation to act.” 

This national poll comes just days before the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Spring General Assembly where they are expected to discuss a proposal to create a teaching document on “eucharistic coherence.”  Part of that discussion is expected to include whether Catholic politicians who support abortion and other substantive policies contrary to Catholic teaching should receive communion. It also comes as President Joe Biden, who openly advocates for unlimited abortion at taxpayers’ expense, visits Pope Francis at the Vatican. Seventy-two percent of Catholics in the pews surveyed agreed that this discussion among the bishops should take place.  

Other key findings include: 

• 91% were excited to go back to mass after churches reopened. 
• 88% believe it is important for Catholic bishops to teach and lead others in matters of the faith, including those who are public officials and other people in influential or powerful positions. 
• 87% believe it is important for Catholic bishops to teach and lead others in matters of the faith, including those who may disagree with the Church on fundamental issues. 
• 82% believe public officials who identify as Catholic but openly advocate for policies hostile to Church teaching are hypocritical. 

You can view the poll here: https://catholicvote.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CatholicVote-Mass-Attendee-Public-Poll-06-2021.pdf 

CatholicVote.org is a national faith-based advocacy organization, organized by faithful Catholic laity in full communion with the teachings of the Church, yet does not claim to speak for any individual bishop or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

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