---
title: "Small Percentage of Catholics Say Contraceptive Use Morally Wrong"
description: "Few U.S. Catholics regard the use of contraceptives as morally wrong, even though the use of contraception is forbidden by church doctrine."
date: "2012-06-07"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2012/06/07/small-percentage-of-catholics-say-contraceptive-use-morally-wrong/"
---

# Small Percentage of Catholics Say Contraceptive Use Morally Wrong

Although the use of contraception is forbidden by Catholic Church doctrine, just 15% of U.S. Catholics say that using contraceptives is morally wrong. Another 41% say it is morally acceptable and 36% say it is not a moral issue. Among Catholics who attend church weekly, 27% say contraception is morally wrong. Looking at the public as a whole, just 8% say contraceptive use is morally wrong. By comparison, 55% of Catholics (and 68% of those who attend Mass weekly) regard having an abortion as morally wrong. Among the public overall, 48% regard having an abortion as morally wrong. Another practice forbidden by church doctrine – getting a divorce – is regarded as morally wrong by only 19% of Catholics. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2012/02/14/public-divided-over-birth-control-insurance-mandate/)