A new study by the Pew Research Center has found a strong connection between how often Catholics in the United States attend Mass and their views on proposed changes to Church teaching, particularly on topics such as same-sex marriage, women’s ordination, and the role of clergy.
The nationwide survey, conducted Feb. 3–9, 2025, asked 1,787 self-identified Catholics about their views on a range of controversial issues. The results were then categorized based on Mass attendance—specifically, whether respondents attend weekly or less frequently.
The findings reveal that weekly Mass-goers are significantly more likely to support the Church’s traditional teachings. According to Pew, 53% of Catholics who attend Mass at least once a week believe the Church should “stick to its traditional teachings,” compared to only 31% of those who attend less frequently.
One of the starkest divides emerged over the Church’s stance on same-sex marriage. Pew reports that 66% of weekly Mass attendees oppose Church recognition of gay marriages, while 58% of those who attend less frequently support such recognition.
Similar disparities were found on the issue of women’s ordination to the priesthood. 56% of Catholics who attend Mass weekly oppose allowing women to become priests, while 67% of less frequent attendees favor the change.
Despite these differences, there is some common ground. A majority of both groups expressed support for the idea of women serving as deacons—54% of weekly Mass-goers and 74% of non-weekly attendees said they support this proposal.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of Sunday Mass attendance, stating: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass” (CCC 2180) and calls this participation “a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and his Church” (CCC 2182). The survey results appear to confirm that this participation also shapes Catholic identity and views on doctrine.
On the topic of married priests, weekly Mass-goers were evenly split, with 49% in favor and 48% opposed, a result well within the study’s ±3% margin of error. By contrast, 69% of non-weekly attendees support allowing priests to marry.
Differences narrowed on topics such as artificial contraception and in vitro fertilization. 72% of weekly attendees support the use of birth control, while 90% of non-weekly attendees agree. Similarly, 71% of weekly attendees support the use of IVF, compared to 88% of those who attend less frequently.
The Pew report underscores how regular participation in the sacraments continues to shape how Catholics understand and engage with Church teaching—both in fidelity to tradition and in response to modern challenges.
As debate over reform and continuity continues in the global Church, these findings provide insight into how American Catholics are discerning their place within that conversation.
