Latin America’s Catholics in the Spotlight
Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina will be formally installed as Pope Francis on Tuesday, March 19, becoming the first pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church from Latin America.
“Strong” Catholic Identity at a Four-Decade Low
The percentage of U.S. Catholics who consider themselves “strong” members of the Roman Catholic Church has never been lower than it was in 2012. The decline is starker when compared with Protestants.
Views of the Catholic Church’s Problems and Contributions
U.S. Catholics see sex abuse as the church’s most important problem and charity as its most important contribution.
Religious Observance Among European Catholics Holds Steady
Pope Benedict XVI was dedicated to combating secularization, but there was no marked resurgence of faith in Europe.
Obama Administration Weighs in on Gay Marriage Case
News outlets reported last night that the Obama administration has submitted a “friend-of-the-court” brief on the legal challenge to California’s gay marriage ban (Proposition 8), which will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26.
U.S. Catholics: Key Data from Pew Research
How do U.S. Catholics view the church, and what do they want from the next pope? Here are some of the Pew Research Center’s key findings about the U.S. Catholic population on these and other questions.
Obama Administration Weighs Intervention in Gay Marriage Case
News outlets are reporting that the Obama administration may submit a “friend-of-the-court” brief on the legal challenge to California’s gay marriage ban (Proposition 8), which will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26.
U.S. Catholics Divided On Church’s Direction Under New Pope
Three-quarters of American Catholics have a favorable view of Pope Benedict XVI, but many also express a desire for change.
Illinois Senate to Vote on Same-Sex Marriage Bill
The Illinois Senate is scheduled to vote today on a measure that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state.
The Shifting Global Catholic Population
Catholics have made up a remarkably stable share of the global population over the past century, but their geographic distribution has shifted significantly during that time.
