Vatican Surveys Find Catholics Reject Teachings On Sex, Contraception

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis addresses participants at the Plenary meeting of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at the Vatican, Friday, Jan. 31, 201... In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis addresses participants at the Plenary meeting of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at the Vatican, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho) MORE LESS
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VATICAN CITY (AP) — Surveys commissioned by the Vatican have shown that the vast majority of Catholics in Germany and Switzerland reject church teaching on contraception, sexual morality, gay unions and divorce.

The Vatican took the unusual step of commissioning the surveys ahead of a major meeting of bishops that Pope Francis has called for October to discuss the family.

This week, German and Swiss bishops reported the results. They were surprising in the near-uniformity of responses: that the church’s teachings on sexuality, morality and marriage are rejected as unrealistic and outdated by the vast majority of Catholics who nevertheless are active in parish life and consider their faith vitally important. Also surprising was the eagerness with which the bishops publicized the results.

Despite the findings, moral theologians warned that church doctrine won’t change.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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