(OSV News) — U.S. adults who were raised Catholic are more likely to continue attending weekly Mass as adults, according to data from the General Social Survey conducted by the National Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Chicago. Only about 15% said they continued.
But what was it that differentiated the families of children who remained Catholic into adulthood from those whose children left the faith completely? In search of an answer to this question, George Researchers from Town University's Center for Applied Research in Apostolate and the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life conducted the Future Faithful Families Project study.
Interviews for this study were conducted with 28 people from June 2021 to February 2023 and included eligible participants from previous CARA studies. The study noted that “there was a significant lack of response from adult children compared to the parents interviewed,” but added that “social science research fields are more likely to recruit participation from older adults than from younger adults.” “It is well known,” he added.
The study found that participants in these families generally described their homes as “warmer and more loving than the average family.” Most participants also said they had “very good communication” within their families.
Another thing that was shared by those interviewed was the ritual of eating and praying together, with most saying that their faith was a part of their family's daily routine, rather than having anything to do with the routine itself. It was shown that it is a part.
Additionally, all participants emphasized the importance of weekly Mass attendance, and nearly all reported doing volunteer work or charity work, many through parishes or church organizations.
Mark Gray, director of the CARA Catholic Poll, co-authored the study with Greg Popcak, co-executive director of the Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life. Gray told OSV News that the results of these qualitative interviews are not meant to be taken as some kind of “checklist” for keeping your child Catholic, but that parents should be aware of the general responses. He said he can gain insight from
For these families, their faith wasn't just something they went to on a Sunday morning, he said. Their faith was rooted in their families. It existed every day. It came up in conversations about faith, prayer, and things we had at home. ”
He also said that when children come to their parents with questions about their faith, most parents do not strictly shut up, but instead “go on a trip with them and say, 'Well, why is the church like this?' Let's see if he's teaching that.'' Eliminates doubts about church teachings.
“It's a lot of talking, working things out, thinking things through, rather than this overbearing parent power,” he said.
The study also included an analysis of existing data from the General Social Survey (GSS) dating back to the 1970s, which revealed a significant number of U.S. adults who were raised Catholic and remained Catholic while attending weekly Mass. was shown to be decreasing.
In the 1970s, “an average of 36% of those raised Catholic remained Catholic as adults and attended Mass weekly (compared to a peak of 40% in 1977).” According to subsequent GSS data, “this average proportion declined to 32% in the 1980s, 25% in the 1990s, and 21% in the 2000s. In the 2010s, this proportion averaged 15%. However, in the 2018 survey, it was 14%.
These numbers do not include people who converted to Catholicism but were not raised as Catholics. The study also noted the large number of Catholics who immigrated to the United States.
Looking at the 51% of U.S. adults who were raised Catholic and remained Catholic from 2010 to 2018, there were some things in common. Among weekly Mass attendees who remained Catholic, 81% said they were “likely to have lived with their parents at age 16” who attended Mass less frequently than weekly. 72% and 63% who left the Catholic faith.
Gray said the families they spoke to mentioned things that “any parent could do,” helping their children see their parents “to be Catholic, not just on Sunday, but every day of the year,” and for parents to “say… He said that he pointed out the importance of “listening.” Talk to their children and teach them what the faith teaches and why the faith teaches. ”
Lauretta Brown is the culture editor at OSV News. Follow her at X (formerly Twitter) @LaurettaBrown6.
