News (World)

Vatican surveys find Catholics reject rules on morality, gay marriage

Vatican surveys find Catholics reject rules on morality, gay marriage

VATICAN CITY — Surveys commissioned by the Vatican have shown that the vast majority of Catholics in Germany and Switzerland reject church teaching on contraception, sexual morality, gay unions and divorce.

Pope Francis
Pope Francis

The Vatican took the unusual step of commissioning the surveys ahead of a major meeting of bishops that Pope Francis has called for October to discuss the family.

This week, German and Swiss bishops reported the results. They were surprising in the near-uniformity of responses: that the church’s teachings on sexuality, morality and marriage are rejected as unrealistic and outdated by the vast majority of Catholics who nevertheless are active in parish life and consider their faith vitally important.

Also surprising was the eagerness with which the bishops publicized the results.

Despite the findings, moral theologians warned that church doctrine won’t change.

© 2014, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Olympic chief slams world leaders for using Sochi games as ‘political’ platform

Previous article

Idaho’s ‘Add the Words’ gay rights activists promised pro-bono legal help

Next article