American Catholics: Leaving and Returning to the Faith
Lapse Rates and Reasons
According to a recent Pew Research survey, over half of American adults raised Catholic have left the church at some point in their lives. This phenomenon, known as “lapsed Catholicism,” has been the subject of much discussion and debate.
The reasons for lapsing from Catholicism vary, but some common factors include:
- Personal beliefs and values
- Disagreements with church teachings
- Negative experiences within the church
- Cultural and societal changes
Cultural Catholics
Despite leaving the church, many lapsed Catholics still identify with the cultural aspects of Catholicism. These individuals, known as “cultural Catholics,” may practice other faiths or identify as atheists, but they retain a connection to their Catholic heritage.
Cultural Catholics often belong to other faith traditions or identify as atheists. They may attend Mass occasionally, particularly during major holidays or family events. Interestingly, a significant number of cultural Catholics (62%) believe that being Catholic is primarily a matter of ancestry and culture.
Return to the Church
While only a small percentage of ex-Catholics say they could imagine returning to the church, that number increases significantly for cultural Catholics (43%). This suggests that there may be opportunities for the church to reach out to and reconnect with lapsed Catholics.
Church Initiatives
In recent years, the Vatican has launched several initiatives aimed at encouraging lapsed Catholics to return to the faith. These include:
- A campaign emphasizing that it’s “never too late” to rejoin the church.
- The announcement that priests will have the ability to forgive Catholics who have had abortions.
These initiatives reflect the church’s desire to find new ways to retain and regain Catholics.
Factors Influencing Return
The decision to return to the church is often influenced by a variety of factors, including:
- Personal experiences and reflections
- Spiritual growth and development
- Changes in life circumstances
- Outreach and support from the church
Other Key Findings
- Of those who were raised Catholic, 11 percent eventually returned to the church.
- 41 percent of lapsed Catholics would define themselves as “no longer Catholic.”
- 13 percent of lapsed Catholics are now cultural Catholics.
- Nine percent of Americans consider themselves to be Catholic, but don’t identify with the religion.
- Of cultural Catholics, 32 percent attend Mass at least once a year.
Conclusion
The issue of lapsed Catholicism is a complex one with multiple causes and consequences. The Pew Research survey provides valuable insights into the extent and nature of this phenomenon. The church’s recent initiatives, combined with a deeper understanding of the factors influencing return, may help to address this issue and support the ongoing journey of faith for both lapsed and practicing Catholics.
