Trends in U.S. Catholics’ views about birth control, the priesthood and sexuality | Pew Research Center

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April 29, 2025

Most U.S. Catholics Say They Want the Church To Be ‘More Inclusive’

Trends in U.S. Catholics’ views about birth control, the priesthood and sexuality

Trends in U.S. Catholics’ views about birth control, the priesthood and sexuality

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Trends in U.S. Catholics’ views about birth control, the priesthood and sexuality

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Most U.S. Catholics Say They Want the Church To Be ‘More Inclusive’
About 8 in 10 Catholics believe the church should allow use of birth control, IVF
Most U.S. Catholics say they prefer a ‘more inclusive’ church, even if that means changing some teachings
About half of Catholics say women do not have enough influence in the Catholic Church
Catholics’ views on how far the church should go to be inclusive differ by party
Most Catholics say people living together outside of marriage should be permitted to receive Communion
About two-thirds of Catholics say the church should allow women to become deacons
Trends in U.S. Catholics’ views about birth control, the priesthood and sexuality
Catholics who think women do not have enough influence in the church overwhelmingly say women should be allowed to become deacons, priests
Big differences in Catholics’ views on reproductive issues, ordination for women and married priests by frequency of Mass attendance
53% of U.S. Catholics who attend Mass weekly say the church should stick to its traditional teachings, even if that means it gets smaller
Two-thirds of Catholics who are Democrats or lean Democratic say women do not have enough influence in the Catholic Church
Catholics’ views about whether the church should allow use of birth control, IVF vary by Mass attendance and partisanship