Although the use of contraception is forbidden by church doctrine, few U.S. Catholics regard it as morally wrong. Just 15% of Catholics say that using contraception is morally wrong; 41% say it is morally acceptable and 36% say it is not a moral issue. Even among Catholics who attend church weekly, just 27% say contraception 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 just 19% of Catholics. Read More
Russell Heimlich is a former web developer at Pew Research Center.
