Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church in the United States has long been one of the most vocal opponents of abortion, teaching that life is sacred from conception to natural death. However, the views of Catholic Americans on abortion vary. While some Catholic Americans align with the church's official anti-abortion stance, many others support abortion rights, believing that their faith supports their pro-choice views.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of practising Catholics who identify as pro-choice | 36% |
| Number of non-practising Catholics who identify as pro-choice | 65% |
| Number of practising Catholics who believe abortion is morally acceptable | 24% |
| Number of American Catholics who agree that abortion is morally wrong | 58% |
| Number of American Catholics who agree that abortion is a sin | 46% (white Catholics), 65% (Latino Catholics) |
| Number of American Catholic women who feel they do not have to follow the abortion teachings of their bishop | 58% |
| Number of American Catholic voters who share the view that abortion should never be permitted by law | 16-22% |
| Number of American Catholics who believe abortion should be legal in "all or most cases" | 47% |
| Number of American Catholics who believe abortion should be illegal in "all or most cases" | 42% |
| Number of Catholic women who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases | 60% |
| Number of Catholic men who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases | 53% |
| Number of U.S. Catholics who say abortion should be legal in all or most cases | 60% |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics for Choice
The early prohibition of abortion was not based on concern for the fetus, but rather on the view that only people who engage in forbidden sexual activity would seek abortions. Church hierarchy no longer argues that abortions are only sought after "immoral" sex, as statistics show that many people who have abortions are married Catholics with children. However, the ontological view of abortion, which argues that the fetus is a person from the moment of conception, is now used by many church officials and anti-choice Catholics to condemn abortion.
CFC lobbies nationally and internationally for abortion rights and has led efforts to downgrade the Holy See's status in the United Nations. The organization is currently led by Interim President Christopher Wimbush, following 25 years of leadership by Frances Kissling.
According to polls, a significant number of American Catholics hold pro-choice views. A 2008 survey by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion found that 36% of practising Catholics, defined as those who attend church at least twice a month, consider themselves "pro-choice," while 65% of non-practicing Catholics identify as such. A 2009 survey by Pew Research Center showed that 47% of American Catholics believe abortion should be legal in "all or most cases." These findings suggest that while a substantial portion of Catholics hold pro-choice beliefs, there is also a significant number who oppose abortion, illustrating the diversity of opinions within the Catholic community on this complex moral issue.
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Catholic Republicans vs. Catholic Democrats
Since the 1970s, non-Hispanic white Catholics have predominantly voted Republican, while a majority of Hispanic or Latino Catholics have voted Democrat. In the 1960s and early 1970s, a number of Catholics and Southern whites abandoned their traditional affiliation with the Democratic Party and began to support the Republican Party. This shift is evidenced by the fact that Nixon received 33% of the Catholic vote in the 1968 election compared to 52% in 1972.
Catholics have formed one of the nation's largest swing groups, with both parties aggressively courting Catholic voters. While the Catholic hierarchy could not dictate who Catholics voted for, they did have a substantial influence over the faithful in their dioceses.
There are significant partisan differences between Catholic Republicans and Catholic Democrats on issues such as abortion and homosexuality. While Catholic teaching on these issues might be described as ""conservative" in the context of American politics, Catholic Democrats are more likely to take a ""liberal" stance.
On the issue of abortion, a slim majority of Catholic Republicans (55%) think that Joe Biden’s views about abortion should disqualify him from receiving Communion in the Catholic Church, compared to only 15% of Catholic Democrats. Similarly, 49% of Catholic Republicans say politicians who support legal abortion should not be able to receive Communion, compared to just 31% of Catholic Democrats.
Catholic Republicans are more likely than Catholic Democrats to approve of Pope Francis for his handling of abortion, while Catholic Democrats are more likely to approve of his handling of immigration, climate change, and poverty.
Catholic Republicans are also more likely to attend Mass regularly and take a more traditional view of the Church's teachings. For example, Catholics who attend Mass at least monthly are less inclined to support the ordination of women, gay men, or divorced people. In contrast, Catholic Democrats are more likely to be less observant and take a more progressive view of the Church's teachings, strongly favoring the inclusion of women, gay men, and divorced people in the clergy.
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The Catholic Church's stance on abortion
The Church's teaching on abortion is not absolute, and it recognizes that there are certain acts that indirectly result in the death of the fetus as morally legitimate, such as in the case of an ectopic pregnancy or the removal of a cancerous womb. The Church also teaches that victims of rape deserve immediate care and that abortion in cases of rape is not a non-violent solution.
Despite the Church's official stance, there are many Catholics who identify as pro-choice and believe that abortion should be legal. These Catholics argue that their support for abortion access is compatible with their faith and that they consider church teachings, Scripture, and their own consciences in forming their opinions. According to surveys, a significant number of American Catholics hold views on abortion that differ from the official position of the Catholic Church, with a range of opinions from anti-abortion positions with some exceptions to acceptance of the general legality and morality of abortion.
The Catholic Church's involvement in the abortion debate has been substantial, with the media reporting on its influence in shaping public opinion and policy. The Church's position on abortion has evolved and been refined over time, with some critics arguing that the Church has only recently opposed abortion, while others assert that the Church's anti-abortion stance has been consistent and unchangeable.
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Catholic women vs. Catholic men
While the Catholic Church has historically opposed abortion, there is a growing movement of Catholics who identify as pro-choice. This group, known as "Catholics for Choice," argues that their support for abortion access is compatible with their Catholic faith and that it is based on a careful consideration of church teachings, Scripture, and their own consciences. They believe that individuals have the right to make their own decisions regarding reproductive health and that providing reproductive care is a fundamentally pro-life act. This group includes both men and women, and while there is limited data on the specific breakdown between Catholic men and women, there are some insights worth noting.
Firstly, it is important to acknowledge the role of the Catholic Church in shaping the abortion debate in the United States. The Church's opposition to abortion has influenced the development of the right-to-life movement. Within the Church, there are varying interpretations of church law and teachings, and some Catholics argue that these teachings leave room for a more liberal position on abortion. This is where the concept of "primacy of conscience" comes into play, emphasizing the importance of individual Catholics in shaping church law and making personal decisions about abortion.
When it comes to Catholic women, there is evidence that they may be more likely than Catholic men to support abortion rights. A 2016 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 51% of U.S. Catholics overall said that "having an abortion is morally wrong," but the breakdown by gender is not provided. However, a 2008 survey by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion revealed that 36% of practising Catholics considered themselves "pro-choice," and while it doesn't specify the gender breakdown, it's worth noting that 58% of American Catholic women felt they did not have to follow their bishop's teachings on abortion. This suggests that a significant number of Catholic women may hold their own views on abortion, separate from the official Church position.
Additionally, political affiliation plays a role in shaping opinions on abortion among Catholics. Catholic Democrats and Democratic leaners, who may be more likely to support gender equality and women's rights, are more likely to say that abortion should be legal in most or all cases (73%) compared to Catholic Republicans (60% of whom say it should be illegal). This suggests that Catholic women, who are more likely to identify as Democrats, may be more inclined to support abortion rights than Catholic men, who are more evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.
It's important to recognize that the abortion debate is complex and multifaceted, and views on abortion among Catholics are diverse and influenced by various factors, including religious teachings, personal beliefs, political leanings, and individual experiences. While there may be differences in opinion between Catholic women and men, the ultimate decision to have an abortion is a private medical decision that involves a woman's own conscience and beliefs.
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The Catholic left
While the Catholic Church has consistently condemned abortion, citing the belief that all life is sacred from conception to natural death, there is a significant Catholic left movement that challenges this stance. "Catholics for Choice", an independent organisation founded in 1973, supports the availability of abortion and claims that this position is compatible with Catholic teachings, particularly the primacy of conscience and the role of the faithful in shaping church law. They argue that the early prohibition of abortion was based on the "perversity view", which judged women for engaging in forbidden sexual activity, rather than abortion being inherently wrong.
A survey by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion in 2008 found that 36% of practising Catholics, defined as those who attend church at least twice a month, consider themselves "pro-choice", while 65% of non-practising Catholics identify as "pro-choice". This indicates a notable proportion of Catholics who support abortion rights, particularly among those who are less religiously observant. According to polls conducted in 2006-2008 by Gallup, 24% of practising Catholics believe abortion is morally acceptable, and a 2009 survey by Pew Research Center showed that 47% of American Catholics believe abortion should be legal in "all or most cases".
Catholics for Choice highlights the importance of individual conscience in forming opinions about abortion, taking into account church teachings, Scripture, Catholic leaders' guidance, and personal experiences. They emphasise that Catholics can support access to abortion in good conscience, and that this position is not a rejection of Catholic law but a thoughtful consideration of it. The doctrine of reception recognises the role of the community of believers in accepting and shaping church law. Canon lawyer James A. Coriden affirmed that "the obligatory force of church law is affected by its reception by the community."
In summary, the Catholic left challenges the Church's stance on abortion by emphasising individual conscience, the role of the faithful in shaping church law, and the evolving nature of beliefs surrounding the embryo and soul. While a significant number of Catholics, particularly practising ones, may personally oppose abortion, they acknowledge the importance of legal access and the complexity of the moral debate.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a 2016 survey by Pew Research Center, 51% of U.S. Catholics say that "having an abortion is morally wrong". However, a more recent survey by the same organization in 2024 found that 6 in 10 U.S. Catholics are in favor of abortion rights.
Yes, Catholic women are slightly more likely than Catholic men to say abortion should be legal in all or most cases (60% vs. 53%).
There are only minimal differences in the abortion views of White Catholics and Hispanic Catholics.
Catholic Democrats and Democratic leaners are more likely to say abortion should be legal in most or all cases (73%) compared to Catholic Republicans and Republican-leaning independents (60%).
Yes, Catholics for Choice is an independent organization founded in 1973 that supports the availability of abortion. They believe that this position is compatible with Catholic teachings, particularly the primacy of conscience and the importance of the laity in shaping church law.
