“But don’t raise the rainbow flag in celebration too quickly. There are two ways to read these numbers, says Stephen Schneck, director of the Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies at Catholic University, and an admitted opponent of same sex marriage.
Religion Dispatches quotes Schneck parsing the numbers in a PRRI sponsored teleconference:
“If Catholics that support civil unions are counted among those favoring same-sex marriage, then a majority of Catholics support same-sex marriage,” he said. “If, on the other hand, civil union supporters are counted among those who oppose same-sex marriage, then the majority of Catholics oppose same-sex marriage by 55 to 43 percent. It’s the possible swing group for both sides on this issue.”
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/03/gay-marriage-catholic-church-/1
Favoring “civil unions” is the same as favoring “same-sex ‘marrage’”, so that analysis doesn’t wash.