Survey: Catholic College Students

(Photo: http://helpmepaymyloans.com)

This morning I received an email from Bishop Joseph Martino of the Cardinal Newman Society. Reflecting on today's Gospel (Matt. 18:12-14) about the need to leave the ninety-nine sheep to find the one sheep that is lost, Bishop Martino shared some statistics about college-age Catholics.

First and foremost, one in eight Catholic students at Catholic colleges abandon their Catholic faith. A recent Cardinal Newman Society survey also found that:

-27% of students at Catholic colleges view pornography

-59% say their friends regularly use drugs

-Nearly one in five students know another student who had or paid for an abortion

-61% disagree with the Church's infallible teaching on the male priesthood

-60% think that abortion should be legal (and even 50% of those who attend Mass weekly!)

-60% think that premarital sex with someone you care about is not a sin

-78% disagree that using a condom is a serious sin

-58% support "gay marriage"

Knowing such numbers, it is very clear that the evangelization of young Catholic adults is necessary! Thankfully, organizations like the Cardinal Newman Society and FOCUS are working hard to spread the Catholic faith to young Catholic adults. Many dioceses in the United States are also implementing groups like "Spirit & Truth", which help to gather and teach young adults, centered around Eucharistic Adoration.

As we continue to pray and prepare for the coming of Christ in this season of Advent, let us:
-Thank God for the blessings of our Catholic faith.
-Thank God for the many ways in which He has blessed us with an abundance of knowledge about our Catholic faith.
-Let us pray for the success of all Catholic organizations that are work tirelessly to evangelize young Catholic adults.