American Catholics Today New Realities of Their Faith and Their Church

The Catholic Church has had a tumultuous recent history, in the wake of the election of a new pope and the sex abuse scandals, and the views of Catholic lay people have not stood untouched. What ore the effects of these events upon Catholics' beliefs? How do beliefs of older and younger generations of Catholics differ? Using key Gallup surveys from 1987 to 2005, this book reveals a rift between Catholics born before and after Vatican II and suggests that the future will find more Catholics making decisions about their own faith and fewer who are fervently committed to church life. This discussion is vital to anyone concerned with American Catholicism and its future. Book jacket.

William V. D'Antonio is a fellow of the Life Cycle Institute, Catholic University of America James D. Davidson is professor of sociology at Purdue University Dean R. Hoge is a fellow of the Life Cycle Institute, Catholic University of America Mary L. Gautier is senior research associate and research associate professor at CARA, Georgetown University