Posted on 01/12/2019 8:27:41 AM PST by ebb tide
Trust in the clergy has declined sharply over the last year, a new Gallup poll shows. Only 31 percent of American Catholics now rate the honesty or ethical standards of the clergy as “high” or “very high.”
The figures, released Friday, show a drop of 18 points since 2017. Among American Protestants, the same question produced a relatively stable number of 48 percent, a drop of only one point since 2017.
The survey was conducted between December 3-12 and surveyed 1,025 adults.
Americans previously registered a drop in confidence with the Church itself. A similar poll, conducted last summer, reported that confidence in the Church dropped from 52 percent in June 2017 to 44 percent in June 2018.
Since that poll was taken, the Church in the United States has suffered a number of abuse-related scandals, including the resignation of Archbishop Theodore McCarrick from the college of cardinals following multiple allegations of sexual abuse, and the release of the Pennsylvania grand jury report that reported allegations of widespread clerical sexual abuse in that state over a period of several decades.
Church leaders have faced a mounting series of questions in recent months, with many being asked to make clear when they first became of aware of allegations against bishops like McCarrick.
Ahead of a recent week-long retreat held at Mundelein Seminary, Pope Francis wrote a letter to the American bishops, in which he referred to the loss of credibility among the hierarchy as a “crisis” facing the Church.
“Clearly a living fabric has come undone, and we, like weavers, are called to repair it,” said Pope Francis in the letter. He also noted perceived divisions among the American bishops, and said that a unified body would help to re-establish credibility among Catholics.
Catholic confidence in clergy has wavered over the last decade and a half.
In 2008, 63 percent of American Catholics said that they had a “high” or “very high” view of the ethical standards of the clergy. This number dropped nine points, to 54 percent, by 2011.
Following the election of Pope Francis in 2014, the number rose to 57 – the last year in which topped 50 percent.
Other Gallup polls have offered different indicators about the state of the Church in the United States. The number of Americans who identify as Catholic has remained roughly stable at around 25 percent throughout the last seven decades. Conversely, the number of self-identified Protestants has dropped, and the number of people with no religious affiliation, self-identified “nones,” has risen.
Additionally, over half of Catholics surveyed in 2018 say that religion is a “very important” part of their lives. This figure, too, has remained relatively stable since 2001.
One area that has not remained stable is Mass attendance. From 2014-2017, not a single age group of Catholics reported a majority attending Mass each week. In 2018, only about 36 percent of Catholics said they had been to Mass within the last week. That number is a drop from 45 percent in 2008, and 75 percent in 1955.
Jesus didn’t rely on anything.
He is God.
Yeah, pencil me in. The clergy have seemed like Democrats to me for years. They tell us now, from the pulpit, that God wants us to be “good” stewards of the planet. Define good...and WHO gets to do that. Seems to me any good Christian WOULD be a good steward. He wouldn’t waste, he wouldn’t poison. ..
False argument.
Nor have I mentioned Sola Scriptura, but only that salvation is in Christ alone.
I’m grateful He died that we might be saved and to know we have eternal life with Him.
You sure did:
Never in Scripture.
Church is stuck: Can not get rid of gay priests because not enough priests to begin with and fear of appearing homophobic. Can not change teaching on homosexuality because too many laity would leave.
Gay priests will keep acting out sexually. Not rare for a gay man to have over 1000 sexual partners during his lifetime. Thus, continued scandal and erosion of image of priests.
Scripture is true or it is not.
Scripture either changes or is fixed.
Scripture is either inspired by the Holy Spirit or it is not.
When God says something in Scripture, it is either reliable or false.
I believe Scripture is true, fixed, inspired, and reliable.
Scripture says salvation is in Christ.
What the bureaucracy of the Catholic Church has done to fail those of faith who it is supposed to serve is just another example of the tendency for all bureaucracies to trend to corruption and focus on perpetuation of themselves rather than service.
Jesus had no Scripture. The word of God was spread mouth to mouth — person to person — Holy Tradition.
Then why did Luther toss out entire books of scripture and edit others that did not agree with his sinful life?
Jesus didn’t need scripture. John 1:1
Of course it was not until decades later that some of the Christian message began to be put down in writing by St. Paul and by the authors of the gospels.
You’re right about the Old Testament. The poster was talking about the New Testament — at least that’s how I took it.
Then why did he repeated quote the Old Testament?
So they would know that he was the one who was to fulfill it.
That doesn't sound true, but you should take it up with Luther.
I believe the Scriptures are true, fixed, inspired, and totally reliable - containing all necessary for salvation and Christian maturity, as they state.
Sometimes, I see someone totally fixed on everything - like Luther or whatever - instead of what God actually inspired.
It puzzles me, when they could shift focus and learn what is True and how to have eternal life in His presence.
As usual, when in trouble, call your posse.
You are delusional ... as usual.
Oops! I should have said a paranoid delusional.
1. I did not think there was any trouble at all. I simply answered your questions.2. I pinged people who I believe would very much like to see the discussion. That is why you can ping FReepers.
best.
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