The Holy Father, Matthew & Maurice
theophilus June 5th, 2008
The Knights of Columbus ran a poll to gauge the views of Catholics in America in the wake of the Holy Father’s April visits. The following is a summary of the findings -
Poll: Big Shift Among Practicing and Non-Practicing Catholics After Papal Visit - More likely to vote, better understand Church teaching, and say trip met or exceeded expectations.
“Polling data released May 8 by the Knights of Columbus shows that Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States in April produced a sharp jump in the proportion of American Catholics with a more positive view of the pope following his trip.
The information provides data specifically about Catholics, and is a companion to the analysis released April 30 about the views of Americans generally. The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion interviewed 1,013 adults nationwide, and the survey results are from an oversample of an additional 502 Catholics nationwide, and are statistically significant at ±4.4 peercent. All polling was done between April 22 and April 29, 2008, immediately following the pope’s return to Rome.
Of particular interest are data showing much more positive views among both practicing and non-practicing Catholics. For example, the proportion of practicing Catholics describing Benedict positively as a spiritual leader went from 70 percent before the visit to 82 percent afterward, a 12 percent jump. Among non-practicing Catholics, the proportion went from 62 percent before the visit to 79 percent afterward, a 17 percent jump.
A majority of Catholics, 54 percent, said they were more in touch with their spiritual values as a result of the pope’s visit, and 41 percent said they were more likely to vote in the November elections as a result. Sixty-four percent of Catholics said they better understand the Catholic Church’s position on important issues as a result of the trip.
Among the other key findings:
- 88 percent of practicing Catholic, and 73 percent of non-practicing Catholics say the trip met or exceeded their expectations.
- 72 percent of Catholics have a more positive view of the Church as a result of the visit, including 82 percent of practicing Catholics and 56 percent of non-practicing Catholics.
- 81 percent of Catholics – practicing and non-practicing – have a positive view of Pope Benedict, compared to 63 percent before the visit.
- 72 percent have a more positive view of the Catholic Church, including 82 percent of practicing and 56 percent of non-practicing Catholics.
- 82 percent of American Catholics view Pope Benedict positively as a world leader
Also important, half (50 percent) say they are more likely to lead a moral life and make family a bigger part of their lives, while nearly 40 percent say they are more likely to become more active in their community or church.”
Let’s hope that the good vibes from the Holy Father’s visit take hold and turn into a legacy that nourishes the Church for a long time to come.
On another note, just got my monthly email from Matthew Kelly. He opened with the news that he has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The good news is that there is a 97% cure rate; the bad news is that he has to undergo throat surgery in early July. He’s asking for our prayers. It looks as if God is asking him to undertake another immense challenge in what has already been a remarkable and well-lived life. May Mother Mary guide him through this trial and comfort him and his family.
On a final note, at Catholic Exchange, Maurice Blumberg of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men, has a series of six articles on “Being a Man After God’s Heart.” Good reading.
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Memorial of St. Boniface, bishop and martyr (England/Germany, c. 672-754) – Benedictine monk born in England; sent to Germany by Pope Gregory II on missionary trip; became known as the “Apostle of Germany”; became Archbishop of Mainz; built the Church in Germany; martyred in 754 by pagans while on a missionary trip.
- Catholic Men , Church , Pope , U.S.A.
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