Creating more welcoming atmosphere would bring ex-Catholics back to church, Benedictine University study shows

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Sep 24, 2014, 06:12 ET

LISLE, Ill., Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholics continue to abandon the Church at an alarming rate. But according to a study conducted by researchers at Benedictine University in Lisle, there is a simple way to bring many former Catholics back to the Church – ask them.

Benedictine University Catholic Survey (PRNewsFoto/Benedictine University)

"A priest making personal, friendly contact and being very careful when and how to judge the person involved (would be one way to bring a lapsed Catholic back to church)," said one respondent, echoing the response given by the majority of the 1,400 lapsed and active parishioners queried. "The personal contact needs to be loving, understanding and sympathetic."

The survey was conducted at the request of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, which serves more than 140,000 Catholics from 28 counties in Central Illinois through 130 predominately English-speaking parishes, 43 Catholic elementary schools and six Catholic secondary schools. Some parishes have seen drops in attendance by as much as 30 percent.

The survey was conducted by Benedictine University faculty members Brian Patterson, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology, Kelly Kandra, Ph.D., associate professor of Psychology, and Phil Hardy, Ph.D., assistant professor of Political Science and acting director of the University's Center for Civic Leadership.

Respondents cited disagreements on social issues, including the Church's doctrine on birth control, the ordination of women to priestly office, divorce and remarriage, use of fertility treatments and homosexuality; a lack of personal connection; Church scandals and the belief that Church leadership has not dealt with these problems in an appropriate manner; and a perceived lack of Christian values represented in the parish among priests and the Church as reasons for leaving.

"These results suggest a large number of people have left the Catholic Church because they object to its doctrinal positions, and it may be difficult to bring these individuals back to this faith community," Hardy said.

"However, there is some evidence indicating parishes and pastors may have opportunities to attract and retain their parishioners by pursuing a welcoming and friendly atmosphere in their church and extending the human community that so many seek through group worship," he added.