Yeah, but . . . A new survey finds that eight out of 10 Catholics are satisfied with the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI. Yeah, but . . . . some people will say, only 23 percent of Catholics say they go to Mass every week. According to the survey, 61 percent agree somewhat or very much that, “Sacraments are essential to my faith.” Yeah, but . . . some people will say, 45 percent of Catholics never go to Confession. So, I am thinking, there is mixed news in this survey. I am sure the data will be studied and questioned, supported or dismissed over the next several months. I hope it will lead to some positive action, though, since what I have seen is way too important to ignore.
* * * The first thing I noticed in the report was that more than eight out of 10 Catholic adults in the United States are satisfied with the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI, and that 72 percent of U.S. Catholics are satisfied with the leadership of the U.S. bishops. Those two items seem to dispute the pre-judgement of many a news report indicating great dissatisfaction. The study also pointed out that there is a high degree of agreement with some central Catholic teachings – including the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. And two-thirds of the poll respondents agreed that “helping the poor and needy is a moral obligation for Catholics.” The high degree of acceptance of the real presence is contrary to what some other studies have reported; the acceptance of the moral obligation to help the poor and needy is wonderfully counter to the notion that all Catholics do is pay, pray and obey. Social justice is not just what some segment of our people do, it is a moral obligation.
* * * Surprising – and pleasing – is what Catholics in the poll said about the importance of the Sacrament of Marriage. We have seven sacraments, baptism, confirmation, Holy Eucharist, reconciliation, anointing of the sick, holy orders and marriage. Catholics in the survey said four of the sacraments were meaningful: 89 percent said marriage was meaningful, 88 percent said baptism was meaningful, along with the Eucharist at 84 percent and confirmation at 83 percent. Yeah, but? or Thank goodness! I know that much of the research into today’s society finds that many Catholics live together before marriage, and that many Catholics are divorced. But this report says to me that just because people don’t marry, or because they do get divorced, that they don’t place a high value on happy, successful, sacramental marriage.
* * * I know there is a lot more data in this latest survey to study, but it seems to me that our first reaction ought not to be “yeah, but.” There is good news here. Here are some actions I see that might make a difference. Don’t ignore your conviction that living together before marriage is wrong, but rejoice when a man and a woman, flawed as they may be, seek a sacramental marriage in the Church. Opportunities to make a difference include supporting marriage preparation efforts in your parish or congregation, helping publicize the U.S. bishops’ marriage initiative, and learning more about and participating in the work of such organizations as Community Marriage Builders. Don’t ignore your conviction that Catholics must participate at Mass every Sunday, but greet with joy the people you meet on the occasion that they do come to Mass. Opportunities for making a difference include establishing or assisting the ministry of greeting and hospitality, and providing transportation to and from church services. Don’t say “Yeah, but.” Ask, “Why not?
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