R.C. survey causes some consternation

Press, 9 April 1980, Page 7

R.C. survey causes some consternation

By

KEN COATES

in London

The Second Vatican Council was meant to let the fresh winds of reform blow through a musty Roman Catholic Church, but 13 years later, only half the Catholics of England and Wales have even heard of the council.

According to a comprehensive survey of their views, made by the University of Surrey, twothirds of the youngest age group questioned — those between. 15 and 24.— had not heard of the council.

Ignorance of the council extended to one quarter of weekly Mass attenders, and a tenth of parish organisations members.

This astonishing finding, says a survey report, suggests that Roman Catholics evaluate changes at the level of what happens to them, with little awareness of ideological implications in the council’s teaching.

Those Catholics surveyed suggested the biggest single change was in the Church’s attitude to birth control. But while 16 per cent wanted this, one fifth gave no answer and one in six sought no change.

More than two-thirds considered a married’ couple who felt they had bad as many children as they wanted were not doing wrong using artificial birth control. “It is salutarv to note

that more than one quarter of Catholics disagree with the statement that ’except where the life of the mother is at risk, abortion is wrong’,” the report said.

Far more Roman Catholics. and especially the young, disagree than agree with condemnation of premarital sex for an engaged couple.

The most unexpected response was to -the question of euthanasia, when if a person in his right mind suffering .from a pajnful incurable disease -wdnted to die,'termination of- his life should be -permitted. The number agreeing with this exceeded those who disagreed.

■More than a third of Roman Catholics questioned thought that as the Government wastes so much public money, it is not really wrong to cheat a little on their income tax.

Most considered the power of trade unions should be limited by law, though there was. overwhelming agreement that violence in the pursuit of political ends is always wrong. Answers varied according to age, and as to how strictly they .practise the.ri faith. An important question for the future, say the. researchers, is to what extent young Roman Catholics will change their opinions as'they get older. Most Roman Catholics

consider divorce should be allowed, though they maintain the Church can never approve homosexual acts.

While most have strongly orthodox views on God and the divinity of Christ, about one , Catholic in seven considers the existence of Heaven, life after death and the Devil to be false.

The survey, made in the spring of 1978, showed strong support, especially among the young, for greater involvement of the Church in issues such as housing, poverty, and race relations, but there was a slight majority against becoming involved in politics.

Generally, it was found Catholics in England prefer a “domesticated Gospel” rather than “political Christianity.” Roman Catholics give their priests fairly high ratings on many aspects of their work, although younger Catholics and young married couples are much more critical. On the question of married priests, Catholics are split two to one in favour, and are only two to one against women priests. On the use of part-time priests and married former priests, they are equally divided.

■ The survey will be discussed at the national pastoral congress of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales to be held in Mav.