There is a growing support for breaking tradition.
A recent report from the Pew Research Center reveals that a significant majority of Catholics in the United States and Latin America are in favor of ordaining women as priests, despite the Catholic Church’s established doctrines against it. The survey gathered responses from 3,655 Catholics across various Latin American countries and 2,051 U.S. Catholics, highlighting a disconnect between the beliefs of the faithful and the official teachings of the Church. Countries like Brazil (83%), Argentina (71%), and Chile (69%) showed the highest levels of support, while Mexico was the only country where a majority opposed the ordination of women.
The Catholic Church’s Catechism explicitly states that only baptized men can receive sacred ordination, asserting that Jesus chose male apostles to form the foundation of the Church. This teaching emphasizes the Church’s belief that it is bound by this divine choice, which reinforces the stance against female ordination. Despite this, many Catholics across various regions express a desire for change, reflecting a growing sentiment that challenges traditional views.
Additionally, the report examined attitudes toward the Church’s stance on communion for individuals living with partners without marriage. Mexican Catholics were notably less supportive of allowing cohabitating individuals to receive communion, with only 45% in favor, compared to higher percentages in other countries. The Church teaches that those in grave sin should not partake in communion, underscoring the conservative view on marital relationships and moral conduct.
Support for birth control is also prevalent, with 86% of Argentine Catholics favoring a change in Church teaching on this issue. Similar support was seen among American Catholics (83%) and those in other surveyed nations, indicating a widespread call for reform regarding reproductive rights. The Church’s teachings classify any actions aimed at preventing procreation as intrinsically evil, demonstrating the ongoing conflict between institutional doctrine and individual beliefs.
On the topic of priestly celibacy, U.S. Catholics showed the highest support for allowing priests to marry (69%), while views varied significantly among other countries. The only issue that faced substantial opposition was the recognition of same-sex marriages, where support was notably lower in countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Peru compared to Argentina, Chile, and the U.S. Overall, the findings suggest a significant divergence between the beliefs of many Catholics and the official positions of the Church, highlighting a potential need for reassessment of certain doctrines.