Although the use of contraception is forbidden by Catholic Church doctrine, just 15% of U.S. Catholics say that using contraceptives is morally wrong. Another 41% say it is morally acceptable and 36% say it is not a moral issue. Among Catholics who attend church weekly, 27% say contraception is morally wrong. Looking at the public as a whole, just 8% say contraceptive use is morally wrong.
By comparison, 55% of Catholics (and 68% of those who attend Mass weekly) regard having an abortion as morally wrong. Among the public overall, 48% regard having an abortion as morally wrong.
Another practice forbidden by church doctrine – getting a divorce – is regarded as morally wrong by only 19% of Catholics. Read More
Russell Heimlich is a former web developer at Pew Research Center.
