News Americas, New York, NY, October 1, 2024: A recent poll finds that many Catholics in Latin America and the US support changes in church policies, including allowing women to become priests, allowing priests to marry and recognizing same-sex marriage. Additionally, there is notable support for birth control and the reception of Holy Communion by unmarried couples living together.
The Pew Research Center’s Spring 2024 Global Attitudes Survey, part of the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project, highlights these changing views. Pew surveyed 3,655 Catholics in six Latin American countries—Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru—via in-person interviews and 2,021 American Catholics via online surveys.
One of the key findings is the high approval rating for Pope Francis, although his favorability has declined over the past decade. Colombians gave the pope his highest approval rating, with 88 percent viewing him favorably, while Chile had the lowest approval rating at 64 percent, likely due to clerical abuse scandals. Despite the decline, most still see Pope Francis as a source of significant change in the Church.
As for women in the priesthood, 83 percent of Catholics in Brazil, 71 percent in Argentina and 64 percent in the US support the idea. Young Catholics are particularly in favor, with 65 percent of those aged 18 to 39 in Colombia supporting the ordination of women, compared to 49 percent of older Catholics.
Support for birth control remains strong, with Argentina (86 percent) and the US (83 percent) leading the way. However, the Church continues to maintain its stance against artificial contraception, endorsing only natural family planning.
On the issue of married priests, 69 percent of American Catholics and 65 percent in Chile expressed support, but there were more divisions in Colombia and Brazil, and Mexico and Peru were largely against the idea.
Catholics were also asked about Holy Communion for unmarried couples living together. Majorities in Argentina (77 percent), the US (75 percent) and Chile (73 percent) supported allowing these couples to receive Communion, although levels of support were lower in other countries.
Recognition of same-sex marriage was supported by 70 percent of Catholics in Argentina and 64 percent in Chile, while support was lower in countries such as Peru (32 percent) and Colombia (40 percent). The Church continues to hold that marriage is reserved for one man and one woman.
Overall, the poll highlights both consensus and division among Catholics on these issues, with younger generations showing more support for progressive changes in Church teaching.
