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UK Catholics 'think Pope visit will help Church' | UK Catholics 'think Pope visit will help Church' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Almost 70% of British Catholics expect the Pope's visit to help the Catholic Church in the UK, a BBC poll suggests. | Almost 70% of British Catholics expect the Pope's visit to help the Catholic Church in the UK, a BBC poll suggests. |
But the survey suggests they are less keen about some of his teaching. | But the survey suggests they are less keen about some of his teaching. |
Half of those questioned felt priests should no longer have to be celibate, and almost two-thirds thought women should have more authority and status. | Half of those questioned felt priests should no longer have to be celibate, and almost two-thirds thought women should have more authority and status. |
And 52% of the 500 Catholics surveyed ahead of the Pope's visit on Thursday said the sex abuse scandal had shaken their faith in the Church's leadership. | And 52% of the 500 Catholics surveyed ahead of the Pope's visit on Thursday said the sex abuse scandal had shaken their faith in the Church's leadership. |
'Not valued' | 'Not valued' |
The poll conducted by ComRes - a member of the British Polling Council - surveyed a random sample of 500 Roman Catholics across the UK between 6 and 9 September 2010. | The poll conducted by ComRes - a member of the British Polling Council - surveyed a random sample of 500 Roman Catholics across the UK between 6 and 9 September 2010. |
Commenting on the results, Andrew Hawkins, ComRes chairman, said: "Overall there is a sense of strong support for the Pope's visit but disquiet both about some aspects of Papal teaching and the perception of the Catholic Church in wider society having been harmed." | Commenting on the results, Andrew Hawkins, ComRes chairman, said: "Overall there is a sense of strong support for the Pope's visit but disquiet both about some aspects of Papal teaching and the perception of the Catholic Church in wider society having been harmed." |
In response to the question, "Do you feel your Catholic faith is generally valued by British society today, or not?" 57% answered that it was "not valued" compared with 30% who said it was, and 13% who said they did not know. | In response to the question, "Do you feel your Catholic faith is generally valued by British society today, or not?" 57% answered that it was "not valued" compared with 30% who said it was, and 13% who said they did not know. |
The poll results also suggest that a large number of Catholics think that the Pope should drop his insistence on clerical celibacy. Just under a half of those polled, 49%, said the celibacy rule should be relaxed, compared to 35%. A further 17% were uncommitted. | The poll results also suggest that a large number of Catholics think that the Pope should drop his insistence on clerical celibacy. Just under a half of those polled, 49%, said the celibacy rule should be relaxed, compared to 35%. A further 17% were uncommitted. |
And 62% of those questioned say women should have more authority and status in the Catholic Church. | And 62% of those questioned say women should have more authority and status in the Catholic Church. |
"Interestingly, the scores for men and women are exactly identical although older generations are least inclined to agree," Mr Hawkins said. | "Interestingly, the scores for men and women are exactly identical although older generations are least inclined to agree," Mr Hawkins said. |
The BBC's religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said the findings seemed to reveal some of the tensions between a Church anxious to preserve ancient traditions, and a secular society that finds them increasingly hard to understand. | The BBC's religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said the findings seemed to reveal some of the tensions between a Church anxious to preserve ancient traditions, and a secular society that finds them increasingly hard to understand. |
Dr William Oddie, former editor of the Catholic Herald, said he was not surprised by the survey, but felt that celibacy should remain "the norm" amongst Catholic priests. | |
"I do think that our clergy have this particular quality because of their celibacy," he said. | |
"That doesn't mean to say that I don't know several married priests who are very effective, and so on. It isn't an impossibility - but I think it will be kept as the normal rule." | |
Secrecy | Secrecy |
Pope Benedict XVI is due to arrive on 16 September for a four-day visit, which has already sparked controversy over its cost and relevance. | Pope Benedict XVI is due to arrive on 16 September for a four-day visit, which has already sparked controversy over its cost and relevance. |
On this first visit by a pope to the UK since John Paul II in 1982, the pontiff will go to Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham. | On this first visit by a pope to the UK since John Paul II in 1982, the pontiff will go to Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham. |
A series of sex abuse scandals have rocked the Catholic Church around the world in recent years, with the Church further accused of maintaining a culture of secrecy. | A series of sex abuse scandals have rocked the Catholic Church around the world in recent years, with the Church further accused of maintaining a culture of secrecy. |
Pope Benedict's supporters say he has been the most proactive Pope yet in confronting abuse. | Pope Benedict's supporters say he has been the most proactive Pope yet in confronting abuse. |
Earlier this year he apologised to victims of child sex abuse by Catholic priests in Ireland, and later went on to promise "action" over child abuse by priests. | Earlier this year he apologised to victims of child sex abuse by Catholic priests in Ireland, and later went on to promise "action" over child abuse by priests. |
But some survivors say they still carry the psychological scars and that the Church should do more to fulfil its duty to them. | But some survivors say they still carry the psychological scars and that the Church should do more to fulfil its duty to them. |