Tradition vs. Inclusion: A Church Divided
A majority of U.S. Catholics believe the Church should become more inclusive. But the most devout Catholics say the opposite.
Since Pope Francis' death, a familiar debate has reemerged among Catholics: Should the Church remain rooted in tradition, or should it aim for “inclusivity” by adopting progressive reforms? A new Pew survey asked American Catholics to weigh in, and the results reveal a sharp divide.
Overall, 60% of U.S. Catholics say the Church should become more inclusive, even if that means changing its dogma.
Support for specific reforms is widespread: 84% believe the Church should allow birth control, 66% say women should be permitted to become deacons, 63% favor letting priests marry, 60% support blessing gay couples, and 59% back the ordination of women as priests.
But these views shift dramatically among the most observant Catholics. Among those who attend Mass at least weekly, 53% say the Church should stick to its traditional teachings, even if that means the Church gets smaller. Within this group, 48% are opposed to allowing priests to marry, 52% reject the blessing of gay couples, 56% do not support the ordination of women, and 66% are against recognizing same-sex marriages.
This divide mirrors a broader trend seen across many faiths: The more frequently someone participates in religious life, the more likely they are to hold a stricter view on acceptable lifestyles. Take American Protestants, for instance. Evangelicals are more than twice as likely as Mainline Protestants to attend religious services weekly (50% vs. 23%). And the gap in social attitudes is just as striking. While 72% of Mainline Protestants say homosexuality should be accepted by society, only 36% of Evangelicals agree—a 36-point difference. The same pattern emerges on abortion: 69% of Mainliners believe it should be legal, compared to just 33% of Evangelicals.
We see a parallel pattern within Judaism. In Israel, Hilonim (“secular” Jews) are far more progressive than their more observant counterparts: the Dati (modern Orthodox), Masorti (traditional), and Haredim (ultra-Orthodox). (See “#MakeJewishBabies and Israel’s Demographic Exceptionalism.”)
So how will American Catholics view Pope Leo XIV? He may be well suited to bridge the ideological gap. Progressives are likely to welcome his international outlook, environmental advocacy, and support for decentralizing Church authority. Traditionalists, meanwhile, may take comfort in his firm opposition to ordaining women and his critiques of “anti-Christian [lifestyles].” While many commentators were surprised by his election, it may have been precisely his blend of reform and orthodoxy that won him the role.
Either way, he faces a delicate balancing act: reengaging those who have drifted away without alienating the Church’s most devoted followers.
It's fascinating how religion and religious beliefs are more in the center-stage-light during this 4th Turning. It's possible this more religious lense helps people en masse become more centrally focused on what is worth being defended, preserved, and fought for, especially on a broader community-building capacity basis. On an individual level I'm seeing people and families become more drawn towards this type of religious lense, especially associated with K-12 education.