A majority of Catholics in the United States and six Latin American countries want changes in the Catholic Church – including the ordination of women and allowing contraception.
In one Opinion poll (English) from the Pew Research Center, 83 percent of respondents in Brazil, 71 percent in Argentina and 64 percent in the United States supported admitting women to the priesthood. In contrast, approval was lower in Mexico (47 percent). In Chile, 69 percent, in Peru 65 percent and in Colombia 56 percent were in favor of women in the priesthood. According to Pew, overall approval of women in the priesthood has increased significantly in recent years.
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In Argentina, 86 percent were against the church’s ban on contraception, 83 percent in the USA, 80 percent in Chile, 76 percent in Colombia, 75 percent in Peru, 69 percent in Mexico and 63 percent in Brazil. The popularity of Pope Francis, who comes from Argentina, remains relatively high, but has declined. According to the survey, a good three quarters of Catholics in the United States perceive Pope Francis positively.
Point of contention: celibacy and marriages of homosexual couples
There are no clear majorities on the question of whether the Catholic Church should recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples. A clear majority of Catholics in Argentina (70 percent) and Chile (64 percent) support this. In the USA, a slim majority agrees (54 percent). In Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Colombia the majority are against recognition.
Views also differ on the question of whether the church should abolish compulsory celibacy for priests. In the USA (60 percent), Chile (65 percent) and Argentina (64 percent) a clear majority of Catholics are in favor. The number of supporters and opponents is approximately the same in Brazil and Colombia. In Peru (32 percent) and Mexico (38 percent) only a minority sympathizes with abolition.
For the survey, Pew said it surveyed 2,021 Catholics in the USA and 3,655 in six Latin American countries.
