Rachel Evans
Catholics in the United States have been active in elections since the mid-19th century, and while they have never formed an American Catholic religious party, they have influenced the political landscape. In the past, Catholics formed a core part of the New Deal Coalition, promoting liberal policies and anti-communism. Today, Catholics are split between the Democratic and Republican parties, with a modest advantage among Catholics leaning towards the GOP. White Catholics are more likely to vote Republican, while Hispanic Catholics tend to support Democrats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Partisan identity | About half of Catholic voters identify as Republicans or lean toward the Republican Party, compared with 44% who identify as Democrats or lean Democratic |
| White Catholics | 57% identify with or lean toward the Republican Party |
| Hispanic Catholics | 68% identify as Democrats or lean Democratic |
| Black Catholics | 84% identify with the Democrats |
| Catholic voters who attend services monthly or more often | 61% identify as Republicans or lean toward the Republican Party |
| Catholic voters who attend services less often | 47% align with the GOP |
| Catholic voters' opinions on abortion | 77% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning Catholic adults say they think abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 63% of Republican and Republican-leaning Catholics say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases |
| Catholic voters' opinions on immigration | 91% of Catholic Democrats oppose expanding the wall along the border between the U.S. and Mexico, while 81% of Catholic Republicans favor expanding the wall |
| Catholic voters' opinions on government aid to the poor | 64% of Catholic Democrats say it does more good than harm, while 67% of Catholic Republicans say it does more harm than good |
| Catholic voters' opinions on climate change | 80% of Catholic Democrats agree that the Earth is warming mostly because of human activity, while 22% of Catholic Republicans say they believe the Earth is warming because of human activity |
| Catholic voters' opinions on same-sex marriage | 61% of those who do not attend Mass on a weekly basis favored recognition of same-sex marriages |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
White Catholics are more likely to vote Republican
In the 2016 US presidential election, 52% of Catholics backed Republican Donald Trump, while 44% voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton. This trend continued in the 2020 election, with 59% of White Catholic registered voters saying they would vote for Trump, compared to 65% of Hispanic Catholic registered voters who said they would vote for Biden.
The partisan identity among Catholics has been closely divided, but the Republican Party now has a modest advantage. About half of Catholic voters identify as Republicans or lean toward the Republican Party, while 44% identify as Democrats or lean Democratic. This shift towards the Republican Party is also observed among White nonevangelical voters, with a similar percentage (58%) aligning with the GOP.
The association with the Republican Party is stronger among White Catholic voters who regularly attend religious services. Among those who attend services monthly or more often, 61% identify as Republicans or lean Republican, compared to 47% among less frequent attenders.
The voting behaviour of White Catholics who are registered Democrats is also noteworthy. During election years, there has been a significant shift towards the Republican Party, particularly evident during Ronald Reagan's presidential elections and the Nixon-McGovern race. In contrast, White Catholics registered as Republicans are less likely to defect to the Democrats.
Czech Republic: Catholic or Orthodox?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hispanic Catholics tend to vote Democrat
While the majority of Catholics in the United States are White (55%) or Hispanic (37%), there are notable differences in voting behaviour between these two groups. White Catholics have consistently been more Republican and conservative than Hispanic Catholics.
Hispanic Catholics are less likely to identify as conservative than they were a decade ago. In 2013, 38% of Hispanic Catholics identified as Democrats, and this has increased over time. In 2018 and 2019, 68% of Hispanic Catholics identified as Democrats or leaned Democratic, a share that has remained fairly stable over the past decade. By comparison, 57% of White Catholic voters identify with or lean towards the Republican Party.
Hispanic Catholics are more likely than White Catholics to identify as liberal. While only 23% of American Catholics overall identify as ideologically liberal, 28% of Hispanic Catholics do so. They are also more likely to support liberal policies. For example, 75% of Hispanic Catholics support same-sex marriage, compared to 73% of White Catholics. On abortion, 57% of Hispanic Catholics believe it should be legal in all or most cases, compared to 62% of White Catholics.
Hispanic Catholics are also more likely to attend religious services regularly than White Catholics. Regular attendance at religious services is linked to an increase in association with the Republican Party, but this is not the case for Hispanic Catholics, who continue to vote mostly Democrat despite increased attendance at religious services.
What Makes Nuns Different in the Catholic Church?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Catholics' views on abortion are often at odds with the Church's
In the United States, partisan identity among Catholics has been closely divided, but the Republican Party (GOP) now has a modest advantage. About half of Catholic voters identify as Republicans or lean towards the Republican Party, compared to 44% who identify as Democrats or lean Democratic. However, this varies among different groups of Catholic voters. For instance, 60% of Hispanic Catholic voters identify as Democrats or lean Democratic, while 61% of Catholic voters who attend services monthly or more often identify as Republicans or lean towards the Republican Party.
Catholics' views on abortion are often at odds with the Catholic Church's stance. The Church has long been one of the foremost opponents of legal abortion, teaching that human life is sacred "from conception to natural death" and that unborn children have a "right to life". The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
> "Since the first century, the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law."
The Church's position is based on the belief that abortion is gravely wrong at every stage, as it involves attacking a being with a human destiny, prepared by God to receive an immortal soul. This belief has been affirmed by various Christian teachings and practices since the first and second centuries, including the Didache (Teaching of the Twelve Apostles) and the Letter of Barnabas.
However, many Catholics hold views on abortion that differ from the official position of the Catholic Church. Catholics vary in their abortion views, with regular Mass attenders being the strongest opponents of legal abortion. Among Catholics who attend Mass at least once a week, about two-thirds (68%) say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. In contrast, most Catholics who do not attend Mass weekly (65%) say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Additionally, Catholic Democrats are more likely than Catholic Republicans to support abortion rights, with 73% saying abortion should be legal in most or all cases.
Catholic Mission in Bellevue, Nebraska: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Catholics' opinions on immigration differ from the Church's
While the Catholic Church has clear teachings on migration, refugees, and immigrants, US Catholics are divided on several aspects of immigration policy. According to a survey by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), 43% of US Catholics believe that current immigration levels should be decreased, 23% believe they should be increased, and 34% believe they should remain as they are.
The Catholic Church affirms that people have a right to migrate, and so countries cannot absolutely prohibit immigration. The Church also acknowledges that governments have the right to prevent illegal immigration and regulate their borders. However, countries have a duty to accommodate the right to migrate to the extent possible, and policies should focus on those who present genuine risks and dangers to society.
Catholics who identify as Democrats, are non-white, or are young adults tend to be more welcoming to immigrants and refugees. On the other hand, Catholics who identify as Republicans, are white, or are older tend to be less welcoming.
While progressive Catholics argue that some Catholic defenders of restrictive immigration policies are at odds with Church teachings, others disagree, stating that these policies are within the boundaries of Catholic teachings. The Church's Catechism teaches that a prosperous nation is obliged "to welcome the foreigner in search of security and the means of livelihood." However, it also states that political authorities may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, and some Catholics believe that the Church allows civil leaders to make prudential judgments about the morality of deportations.
In conclusion, while the Catholic Church has clear teachings on immigration, US Catholics hold diverse opinions that are influenced by factors such as partisanship, race, ethnicity, and age. These differences reflect a range of interpretations and priorities within the broader framework of Catholic social teaching.
Sex in Heaven: Catholic Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Catholics' views on poverty differ from the Church's
The partisan identity of Catholics has been a close contest between the two major parties in the United States, but the Republican Party (GOP) now has a modest advantage. About half of Catholic voters identify as Republicans or lean towards the Republican Party, compared to 44% who identify as Democrats or lean Democratic. However, it is important to note that among Hispanic Catholic voters, 60% identify as Democrats or lean Democratic.
Now, when it comes to Catholics' views on poverty, the Catholic Church has a long tradition of teachings on this subject, especially in relation to economic systems and values. The Church's stance is deeply rooted in the belief in the inherent dignity of all human beings and the idea that all of Creation is a gift to be shared equally among humanity. This means ensuring that everyone has the necessary resources and opportunities to live a life of dignity and reach their potential. To achieve this, the Church upholds the right to private property, but with an important caveat – this right is not absolute and should always be ordered towards common use and the duty to share.
A key element of the Catholic Church's response to poverty is the principle of solidarity, which entails accompanying those in poverty, addressing their material deprivation, and recognizing their shared and equal human dignity. This is closely tied to the concept of a "preferential option for the poor," which is a deliberate choice to prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable. It is not about pitting one class against another but rather recognizing that the deprivation and powerlessness of the poor wound the entire community.
However, some Catholics may differ in their views on the specific approaches to addressing poverty. While the Church emphasizes the obligation of the more fortunate to share their wealth and power, some Catholics may prioritize individual efforts and personal responsibility. Additionally, the Church's teachings on economic systems and policies are detailed and specific, and some Catholics may interpret or apply these teachings differently based on their own experiences and values.
Moreover, the Church's stance on poverty extends beyond material deprivation. It also addresses the exclusion, shaming, and powerlessness that often accompany poverty. Pope John Paul II emphasized that people's poverty is not just about lacking resources but also about being excluded from networks of exchange and productivity. This nuanced understanding of poverty may influence Catholics' views on the role of education, employment opportunities, and social programs in addressing poverty.
Solitude and Faith: Overcoming Loneliness as a Catholic
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Catholics in the US are split between the Democratic and Republican parties, with a slight majority of Catholics identifying as Republicans.
Yes, White Catholics are more likely to vote Republican, while Hispanic Catholics tend to back Democrats.
Catholics voted for the Democratic candidate in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, but in 2016, a majority of Catholics backed the Republican candidate, Donald Trump.
