Polish survey finds mixed response
on John Paul II's teachings
Warsaw, Apr. 3, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A Polish opinion survey has found a striking contrast between the declared acceptance of the teachings of Pope John Paul II and the personal beliefs expressed by respondents.
The survey by the OBOP research company found that 79% of Polish respondents claim to conduct their lives in accordance with the teachings of the late Pope. That figure is 5% lower than found in a similar survey in 2005.
However, the survey respondents were much less supportive of the positions that Pope John Paul II took in support of Church teaching on certain controversial issues. Just 15% of the sample rejected the use of artificial contraception, and only 26% backed the condemnation of abortion under all circumstances.
On other issues, 34% of the respondents declared their opposition to capital punishment, 61% opposed legal recognition of same-sex unions, and 69% rejected the prospect of women's ordination to the priesthood.
A substantial number of the 1,000 people surveyed - 31% - reported that they had returned to the Catholic faith thanks to Pope John Paul II. Some 63% said that they pray for his beatification. And 50% believe that April 2, the anniversary of his death, should be declared a Polish national holiday.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 16/10/2008 00:44]