U.S. nuns face shrinking numbers and tensions with the Vatican
The total number of nuns, also called religious sisters, in the United States has fallen from roughly 180,000 in 1965 to about 50,000 in 2014 – a 72% drop over those 50 years.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
The total number of nuns, also called religious sisters, in the United States has fallen from roughly 180,000 in 1965 to about 50,000 in 2014 – a 72% drop over those 50 years.
U.S. Christians, as a whole, express negative feelings toward atheists, and the chilliness is reciprocated, according to a Pew Research survey on how Americans rate eight religious groups.
A Pew Research Center survey shows how many people in religious groups know other people of different religions.
Some Catholic leaders have thrown their support behind changes in immigration laws, a position that is in line with the views of many U.S. Catholics.
Three-quarters of U.S. Catholics say the church should permit birth control, about half favor same-sex marriage and just a third (33%) say homosexual behavior is a sin.
Four-in-ten Catholics say there is “a lot” of conflict between their personal religious beliefs and homosexuality.
As Pope Francis begins to address issues facing the church, Pew Research Center surveys of American Catholics finds that seven-in-ten think it’s important for the church to address the sex-abuse scandal.
The Vatican plans to ask a range of questions on topics related to the family, including divorce, artificial contraception and same-sex marriage.
1615 L St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
USA
(+1) 202-419-4300 | Main
(+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax
(+1) 202-419-4372 | Media Inquiries
ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
© 2024 Pew Research Center