Survey shows Catholics want shift in teaching

The Church’s ban on artificial contraception causes a great deal of hurt and anger, and it should be more welcoming to those in “irregular” relationships, according to a survey, writes Joanna Moorhead.

342 Catholics responded to the survey by A Call to Action, (Acta), although their views were echoed by the results of a similar poll in Wolverhampton, which drew 376 responses from a wider cohort of churchgoers.

The main Acta survey, carried out in preparation for the synod on the family, found 94 per cent felt the Church needed to be more welcoming to those in irregular relationships, while 85 per cent rejected the Church’s ban on artificial birth control.