A recent Pew Research Center poll finds that US Catholics are split on whether or not the next pope should “should maintain the traditional teachings of the church” (51% favor maintaining the traditional teachings while 46% hope the pope will move the church in new directions). Among those who hope the next pope will move the church in new directions, the top changes desired are
- 19% – become more modern,
- 15% – get tougher with abusers/end sex abuse,
- 14% – allow priests to marry,
- 14% – become more accepting/open (general),
- 9% – accept homosexuality/same-sex marriage,
- 9% – allow women to be priests,
- 7% – accept contraception/birth control,
- 6% – less strict/conservative, more liberal (general), and
- 5% – get better/improve/change (general).
So What?
The Pope has announced that he will resign on February 28. While many are suggesting the most likely candidates to become Pope, far fewer are suggesting changes that are likely to occur regardless of who is selected. What change do you expect to be most likely in the Catholic Church over the next ten years? Why?