Pastor’s Page – "And the two shall become as one."
US Catholics- A Report on Marriage 2007

A Georgetown University sociological study group called the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), has been assisting the US bishops for many years.

In 2007, CARA conducted a landmark national research project on US Catholics and marriage.
They were commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), their report to be used as a resource for pastoral reflection and decision making.

How familiar are married Catholics with the teaching of the church on the sacrament of marriage?
What are their viewpoints on issues and values related to marriage? The report revealed positives and negatives. Catholics are as likely to become divorced as anyone else in the US population. But those Catholics who are active, informed and participating are less likely to be divorced. This minority churchgoing group within US Catholicism understands church teaching on marriage. Their views about marriage as a lifetime commitment, fidelity between spouses, the centrality of God in married life, and mutual sacrificial love patterned after the love of Christ, are in agreement with church teaching.

The report reveals that 87% of Catholics consider marriage to be a lifetime commitment. Yet 23% have divorced, similar to the US population in general. Married couples rate highly the church sponsored marriage preparation that they received (Pre-Cana). The most effective preparations are the use of a compatibility instrument known as FOCCUS, meetings with mentor couples, and weekend engaged couple retreats.

After marriage, when difficulties arise in their marriage, not many are willing to seek assistance from the church or others with their marital difficulties. Only a small percentage of married couples attend marriage enrichment programs when they are offered by their parish or diocese.
• 41% of younger Catholics are married without the sacrament of marriage, in a civil ceremony. They do not consider it important to be married in the church.

• Overall 30% of Catholics have marry civilly and have not had their marriage sanctified by the church. Most Catholics plan to have children when they marry, and understand the having of children as an essential purpose of marriage. 78% find watching children grow up, to be one of life's greatest joys.

How can the Church assist engaged couples and married couples remain faithful to the covenant of love they share?


Peace and Love,
Father Bruce