You're exactly right. I know a lot of people who call themselves Catholic but have absolutely no use for the moral teachings of the church.
Part of it is Catholics were historically democrats. Many of today's Catholics held onto the party but not the beliefs. They're clueless that there's even a problem there.
My aunt,who recently died at the age of 94 was as traditional a Catholic as you'll find.Mass every day (until she became too frail),rosary beads....everything.Yet she voted RAT until the day she died.I once tried to explain to her,in detail,what the RAT Party had become.She listened...paused....and then said..."Yes,but Gay State Conservative,the democrats give me my Social Security".
At that moment,I knew it was hopeless.I never brought it up again.