Catholic Attitudes A presentation to the National Catholic

Methodology Sample Size Margin of Error Start Date End Date Catholic US adults 705

Current Political Opinions © 2010, Zogby International

Obama approval Catholics are more likely to disapprove of Obama’s job performance than the

Right track/wrong track Catholics are more likely to believe the country is on the

Midterm elections Catholics are more likely to say they’ll vote for Republican candidates in

Support of health care reform Catholics are more likely to not support Congress’s recent

Rights of illegal immigrants Catholics and the general public have similar views on rights

Approval of Pope Benedict XVI, US Bishops, and Parish Priests Note: All remaining slides

Approval over time- summary Pope Benedict XVI’s job approval has declined fifteen percentage points

Approval over time- summary The US Bishops’ job approval has declined seventeen percentage points

Handling of Sexual Abuse Situation 56% give Pope Benedict XVI a “fair” or “poor”

Handling of Sexual Abuse Situation 65% give Pope Benedict XVI a “fair” or “poor”

Handling of Sexual Abuse Situation 72% give the American Bishops a “fair” or “poor”

Should Benedict XVI resign? 64% believe Pope Benedict XVI should continue as Pope and

Catholics and Voting © 2010, Zogby International

Parties and Catholic values Majorities of all groups say “it depends on the issue”

Catholic politicians and communion Majorities of all groups disagree that Catholic politicians should be

What should affect vote choice? Majorities agree that a person can be a good

What should affect vote choice? Majorities disagree that a person can be a good

Abortion 1 Plurality believe abortion should only be permitted under certain circumstances Abortion should

Abortion and mass attendance Those who attend mass weekly are more likely to believe

Abortion and age Older respondents are more likely to believe abortion should never be

Abortion and ethnicity Hispanic respondents are slightly less likely to believe abortion should never

Is abortion a sin? Majorities of all groups agree that it is a sin

Is abortion a sin? Frequent mass attendees are most likely to agree that it

Death Penalty © 2010, Zogby International

Is the death penalty always wrong? Those who attend mass weekly are most likely

Is the death penalty always wrong? Younger respondents are more likely to agree that

Women and the Priesthood Younger respondents are more likely to agree that women should

Women and the Priesthood Frequent Mass attendees are more likely to disagree that women

Health Care 1 Majority strongly agrees that health care is a basic human right

Health Care and age Younger respondents are slightly more likely to believe health care

Health Care and Mass attendance Less frequent mass attendees are more likely to agree

Health Care and ethnicity Hispanics are more likely to agree that health care is

Immigration 1 Plurality strongly disagrees that undocumented immigrants should have access to services like

Immigration and mass attendance Frequent mass attendees are more likely to disagree that undocumented

Immigration and age Younger respondents are more likely to believe that undocumented immigrants should

Immigration and ethnicity Hispanics are more likely to agree that undocumented immigrants should have

Pollution is sinful Majorities of all groups agree that polluting the environment is sinful.

For Further Information Please Visit: www. zogby. com © 2010, Zogby International

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Methodology Sample Size Margin of Error Start Date End Date Catholic US adults 705 +/- 3. 7% 4/23/10 4/25/10 Catholic US adults 767 +/- 3. 6% 2/23/09 2/25/09 Catholic US adults 1, 202 +/- 2. 9% 12/10/08 12/13/08 Catholic US adults 1, 000 +/- 3. 2% 10/17/08 10/20/08 Catholic US adults 1, 217 +/- 2. 9% 8/14/08 8/16/08 Catholic US adults 1, 500 +/- 2. 6% 3/25/08 3/27/08 Note: Data is weighted by age, region, race, and gender to more accurately reflect the population. Margins of error are higher in subgroups. © 2010, Zogby International

Obama approval Catholics are more likely to disapprove of Obama’s job performance than the general population General population 49 Approve Disapprov e 34 50 66 Q. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of Barack Obama’s job as president? survey, April 2010 Source: Zogby Interactive © 2010, Zogby International

Right track/wrong track Catholics are more likely to believe the country is on the wrong track Right Direction Wrong Track General population 38 27 53 68 Q. Overall, do you think the U. S is on the right direction, or are things on the wrong track? Source: Zogby Interactive survey, April 2010 © 2010, Zogby International

Midterm elections Catholics are more likely to say they’ll vote for Republican candidates in 2010 Democratic 27 38 42 Republican General population 54 Neither 3 5 Not sure 17 14 Q. In the Congressional race in 2010, for which party’s candidate do you intend to vote? Source: Zogby Interactive survey, April 2010 © 2010, Zogby International

Support of health care reform Catholics are more likely to not support Congress’s recent healthcare reform act Do Not Support Recent Healthcare Reform Act Support Recent Health Care Reform Act General population 53 66 43 33 Q. Do you support or oppose the healthcare reform act recently passed by Congress? Source: Zogby Interactive survey, April 2010 © 2010, Zogby International

Rights of illegal immigrants Catholics and the general public have similar views on rights of illegal immigrants Disagree that Illegal Immigrants are Entitled to the Same Rights and Freedoms as US citizens Agree That Illegal Immigrants Are Entitled to the Same Rights and Freedom 78 General population 76 21 20 Q. Level of agreement – Illegal immigrants to the US are entitled to the same rights and basic freedoms as U. S. citizens Source: Zogby Interactive survey, April 2010 © 2010, Zogby International

Approval over time- summary Pope Benedict XVI’s job approval has declined fifteen percentage points in the past two years. Pope Benedict Approval Apr-10 Apr-08 Oct-07 56 71 70 Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the overall job that Pope Benedict XVI is doing? Source: Zogby Interactive surveys, various years © 2010, Zogby International

Approval over time- summary The US Bishops’ job approval has declined seventeen percentage points in the past two years. US Bishops Approval Apr-10 Apr-08 Oct-07 45 62 61 Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the overall job that the US Bishops are doing? Source: Zogby Interactive surveys, various © 2010, Zogby International

Handling of Sexual Abuse Situation 56% give Pope Benedict XVI a “fair” or “poor” rating on handling sexual abuse within the Church Excellent Good Fair Poor 15 23 26 30 Q. Overall, how would you rate Pope Benedict XVI’s current efforts to address the sexual abuse situation within the Catholic Church? Source: Zogby Interactive survey, © 2010, Zogby International

Handling of Sexual Abuse Situation 65% give Pope Benedict XVI a “fair” or “poor” rating on his previous handling (made while he was still a Cardinal) of sexual abuse within the Church Excellent Good Fair Poor 10 12 21 44 Q. Overall, how would you rate the previous efforts Pope Benedict XVI made to address the sexual abuse situation within the Catholic Church while he was Cardinal Ratzinger and not yet Pope? Source: Zogby © 2010, Zogby International

Handling of Sexual Abuse Situation 72% give the American Bishops a “fair” or “poor” rating on handling sexual abuse within the Church Excellent Good Fair Poor 8 12 29 43 Q. Overall, how would you rate the American Bishops’ efforts to address the sexual abuse situation within the Catholic Church? Source: Zogby Interactive © 2010, Zogby International

Should Benedict XVI resign? 64% believe Pope Benedict XVI should continue as Pope and not resign. Should Resign 16 Should Continue as Pope Don't Know/Not Sure 64 20 Q. Some have called for Pope Benedict XVI to resign as a result of the sexual abuse incidents within the Catholic Church. Others believe he should not resign. Do you believe Pope Benedict XVI should resign, or do you believe he should continue as Pope? Source: Zogby Interactive © 2010, Zogby International

Parties and Catholic values Majorities of all groups say “it depends on the issue” when asked which party better represents Catholic values 7 12 25 11 20 16 29 24 14 Democrats 26 Republican s It Depends on Issue 58 55 59 59 5 5 4 Overall 18 -29 30 -44 45 -64 65+ Q. Which party do you think better represents Catholic values? 54 Neither Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Parties and Catholic Values Majorities of all groups say “it depends on the issue” when asked which party better represents the interest of Catholics 12 25 10 30 14 10 12 34 18 13 Democrats Republicans It Depends on Issue 71 58 53 5 6 3 Overall Non-Hispanic White Hispanic 63 Neither 51 Q. Which party do you think better represents Catholic values? 4 6 Attends mass weekly less than weekly Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Catholic politicians and communion Majorities of all groups disagree that Catholic politicians should be denied communion when they support positions that conflict with Church teachings such as abortion. Disagree Agree 67 67 64 28 29 25 Overall Non-Hispanic White Hispanic Q. Level of agreement – Catholic politicians should be denied communion teachings such as abortion. 55 39 77 19 Attends mass weekly less than weekly when they support positions that conflict with church Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Catholic politicians and communion Majorities of all groups disagree that Catholic politicians should be denied communion when they support positions that conflict with Church teachings such as abortion. Disagree Agree 67 28 Overall 81 19 18 -29 69 65 52 28 27 37 30 -49 50 -64 65+ Q. Level of agreement – Catholic politicians should be denied communion when they support positions that conflict with church teachings such as abortion. Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

What should affect vote choice? Majorities agree that a person can be a good Catholic if they vote for politicians associated with divorce, abortion rights, death penalty and stem cell research. 76 60 36 54 55 44 42 Agree 20 Has been divorced Supports embryonic stem cell research Supports abortion Supports the death rights penalty Q. A person can be a good Catholic if they vote for a politician who… Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

What should affect vote choice? Majorities disagree that a person can be a good Catholic if they vote for politicians associated with same-sex marriage, euthanasia, or human cloning. 44 36 19 Agree 76 54 Supports same-sex marriage 59 Supports euthanasia Supports human cloning Q. A person can be a good Catholic if they vote for a politician who… Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Abortion 1 Plurality believe abortion should only be permitted under certain circumstances Abortion should only be permitted in case of rape, incest, or threat to mother's health 42 Abortion should be allowed for any reason Abortion should never be permitted 33 22 Source: Zogbylaws? International Survey, October 2008 Q. Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion about abortion © 2010, Zogby International

Abortion and mass attendance Those who attend mass weekly are more likely to believe abortion should never be permitted Abortion should only be permitted in case of rape, incest, or threat to mother's health 41 45 47 Abortion should be allowed for any reason Abortion should never be permitted Attend mass less than weekly Attend mass weekly or more 18 9 35 Source: Zogbylaws? International Survey, October 2008 Q. Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion about abortion © 2010, Zogby International

Abortion and age Older respondents are more likely to believe abortion should never be permitted Abortion should only be permitted in case of rape, incest, or threat to mother's health 38 40 46 47 18 -29 30 -49 50 -64 65+ 40 37 Abortion should be allowed for any reason 32 24 Abortion should never be permitted 19 21 21 27 Source: Zogbylaws? International Survey, October 2008 Q. Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion about abortion © 2010, Zogby International

Abortion and ethnicity Hispanic respondents are slightly less likely to believe abortion should never be permitted Abortion should only be permitted in case of rape, incest, or threat to mother's health 42 Hispanic 33 Abortion should be allowed for any reason Abortion should never be permitted 42 White, non -Hispanic 38 23 18 Source: Zogbylaws? International Survey, October 2008 Q. Which of the following statements comes closest to your opinion about abortion © 2010, Zogby International

Is abortion a sin? Majorities of all groups agree that it is a sin to have an abortion. 22 73 Overall 22 23 22 20 70 73 73 76 18 -29 30 -49 50 -64 65+ Q. Level of agreement – It is a sin to have an abortion. Disagree Agree Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, April 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Is abortion a sin? Frequent mass attendees are most likely to agree that it is a sin to have an abortion. 22 73 Overall 21 27 74 71 Non-Hispanic White Hispanic Q. Level of agreement – It is a sin to have an abortion. 13 31 Disagree Agree 84 63 Attend mass weekly less than weekly Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, April 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Is the death penalty always wrong? Those who attend mass weekly are most likely to agree that the death penalty is always wrong. 55 55 53 62 Agree that the death penalty is always wrong 42 Overall 48 Disagree that the death penalty is always wrong 42 42 Non-Hispanic White Hispanic Q. Level of agreement – The death penalty is always wrong. 48 36 Attend mass weekly Attend mass less than weekly Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2007 © 2010, Zogby International

Is the death penalty always wrong? Younger respondents are more likely to agree that the death penalty is always wrong. 55 42 39 58 57 Agree that the death penalty is always wrong 57 38 Overall 58 18 -29 Disagree that the death penalty is always wrong 30 -49 Q. Level of agreement – The death penalty is always wrong. 41 50 -64 38 65+ Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2007 © 2010, Zogby International

Women and the Priesthood Younger respondents are more likely to agree that women should be ordained as Priests 35 13 78 58 Overall 18 -29 37 40 58 55 30 -49 50 -64 49 45 Disagree that the Catholic Church should allow women to be ordained as priests Agree that the Catholic Church should allow women to be ordained as priests 65+ Q. Level of agreement – The Catholic Church should allow women to be ordained as priests. Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2007 © 2010, Zogby International

Women and the Priesthood Frequent Mass attendees are more likely to disagree that women should be ordained as priests 35 29 58 60 Overall Hispanics 36 45 25 69 59 Agree that the Catholic Church should allow women to be ordained as priests 48 Non-Hispanic Whites Attend Mass weekly Disagree that the Catholic Church should allow women to be ordained as priests Attend Mass less than weekly Q. Level of agreement – The Catholic Church should allow women to be ordained as priests. Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, October 2007 © 2010, Zogby International

Health Care 1 Majority strongly agrees that health care is a basic human right 9 21 Strongly agree 12 Somewhat agree 57 Q. Level of agreement – health care is a basic human right survey, October 2008 Source: Zogby Interactive © 2010, Zogby International

Health Care and age Younger respondents are slightly more likely to believe health care is a basic human right 14 86 18 -29 27 22 17 73 78 79 50 -64 65+ 30 -49 Q. Level of agreement – health care is a basic human right survey, October 2008 Disagree that healthcare is a basic human right Source: Zogby Interactive © 2010, Zogby International

Health Care and Mass attendance Less frequent mass attendees are more likely to agree that health care is a basic human right 18 25 82 Attend mass less than weekly 73 Disagree that healthcare is a basic right Agree that healthcare is a basic human right Attend mass weekly or more Q. Level of agreement – health care is a basic human right survey, October 2008 Source: Zogby Interactive © 2010, Zogby International

Health Care and ethnicity Hispanics are more likely to agree that health care is a basic human right 26 11 88 74 Non-Hispanic whites Disagree that healthcare is a basic human right Agree that healthcare is a basic human right Hispanics Q. Level of agreement – health care is a basic human right survey, October 2008 Source: Zogby Interactive © 2010, Zogby International

Immigration 1 Plurality strongly disagrees that undocumented immigrants should have access to services like health care and legal aid Strongly agree 17 41 Somewhat agree 20 21 Q. Level of agreement – undocumented immigrants should have access to public services like health care and legal aid Source: Zogby Interactive survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Immigration and mass attendance Frequent mass attendees are more likely to disagree that undocumented immigrants should have access to public services 60 64 39 35 Attend mass less than weekly Attend mass weekly or more Disagree that undocumented immigrants should have access to public services Agree that undocumented immigrants should have access to public services Q. Level of agreement – undocumented immigrants should have access to public services like health care and legal aid Source: Zogby Interactive survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Immigration and age Younger respondents are more likely to believe that undocumented immigrants should have access to public services 64 63 67 47 53 34 36 33 65+ 50 -64 30 -49 18 -29 Disagree that undocumented immigrants should have access to public services Agree that undocumented immigrants should have access to public services Q. Level of agreement – undocumented immigrants should have access to public services like health care and legal aid Source: Zogby Interactive survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Immigration and ethnicity Hispanics are more likely to agree that undocumented immigrants should have access to public services 36 68 Disagree that undocumented immigrants should have access to public services 63 31 Hispanics Agree that undocumented immigrants should have access to public services Non-Hispanic Whites Q. Level of agreement – undocumented immigrants should have access to public services like health care and legal aid Source: Zogby Interactive survey, October 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Pollution is sinful Majorities of all groups agree that polluting the environment is sinful. 19 76 22 Overall Non-Hispanic White 75 Q. Level of agreement - Polluting the environment is sinful. 12 82 Hispanic 18 77 Disagree 20 76 Agree Attend mass weekly less than weekly Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, April 2008 © 2010, Zogby International

Pollution is sinful Majorities of all groups agree that polluting the environment is sinful. 19 76 Overall 22 23 22 20 70 73 73 76 30 -49 50 -64 65+ 18 -29 Q. Level of agreement - Polluting the environment is sinful. Disagree Agree Source: Zogby International Interactive Survey, April 2008 © 2010, Zogby International