Nearly half of Americans remain connected to Catholicism despite declining church attendance, revealing the religion’s enduring cultural grip on American identity far beyond Sunday Mass.
Key Takeaways
- 47% of U.S. adults report some connection to Catholicism, with only 20% identifying as Catholic by religion
- Cultural Catholics (9%) maintain ethnic or familial ties without regular religious practice
- Only 13% of practicing Catholics engage in high observance behaviors like daily prayer and weekly Mass
- Hispanic Catholics represent a growing demographic at 36% of U.S. Catholic adults
- 43% of Americans raised Catholic no longer identify with the faith, often citing value conflicts
Catholic Identity Beyond Church Walls
New data from the Pew Research Center reveals that Catholicism’s influence extends far beyond church attendance in America. While only one-fifth of Americans identify as Catholic by religion, nearly half (47%) of U.S. adults maintain some connection to the Catholic faith. This broader Catholic footprint includes cultural Catholics who feel ethnically or familiarly tied to the religion (9%), former Catholics who were raised in the faith but no longer identify with it (9%), and those connected through Catholic family members or occasional Mass attendance (9%).
“It was striking to see how widespread the connection to Catholicism is,” said Gregory Smith, associate director of research at Pew Research Center.
The study exposes a complex picture of American Catholic identity that transcends simplistic measurements of weekly church attendance. For many Americans, Catholicism remains a cultural cornerstone even as formal religious practice declines. These findings help explain why Catholic imagery, traditions, and values continue to permeate American culture despite decreasing numbers in church pews.
Varying Levels of Catholic Practice
Among self-identified Catholics, religious practice varies dramatically. Only 13% demonstrate high observance through regular prayer, weekly Mass attendance, and annual confession. Another 13% rarely or never engage in these traditional practices. The vast majority (74%) fall somewhere in between, maintaining some religious practices while setting others aside. This spectrum of engagement reflects the personalized approach many modern Catholics take toward their faith.
For many Catholics, belief in “a personal relationship with Jesus Christ” has become a cornerstone of their identity, with 69% of Catholics affirming this connection. This rises to 91% among weekly Mass attendees, suggesting that regular churchgoers emphasize this personal spiritual connection. Meanwhile, devotion to the Virgin Mary remains significant for half of all Catholics, demonstrating the continued importance of traditional Catholic devotions even as practice patterns change.
— Preston Byrne (@prestonjbyrne) June 6, 2025
Hispanic Influence on American Catholicism
Hispanic Americans represent a crucial demographic for the Catholic Church in the United States. The survey found that 40% of Hispanic Americans identify as Catholic, with another 15% considering themselves cultural Catholics. Hispanic Catholics now constitute 36% of all U.S. Catholic adults, a percentage that continues to grow. This demographic shift is reshaping American Catholicism, as Hispanic Catholics bring distinctive devotional practices and cultural traditions to parishes across the country.
The research reveals that Hispanic Catholics are more likely than white Catholics to wear religious items and pray the rosary. They also place greater emphasis on devotion to the Virgin Mary, caring for immigrants, and environmental concerns. Despite these differences, the study found surprising similarity between Hispanic and white Catholics in many aspects of practice and belief, suggesting a cohesive Catholic identity that transcends ethnic backgrounds.
Conversions and Departures
Catholic converts, while representing just 1.5% of U.S. adults, demonstrate stronger religious commitment than cradle Catholics. The data shows that 38% of converts attend weekly Mass compared to only 28% of lifelong Catholics. Interestingly, nearly half (49%) of converts joined the Church for marriage or partnership reasons, highlighting the continued influence of Catholicism on family formation in America.
“I have struggled all my life with faith,” admitted Susan Jackson, one former Catholic cited in the study who later added, “I couldn’t walk into a church.”
The survey reveals a troubling statistic for Church leaders: 43% of Americans raised Catholic no longer identify with the faith. Common reasons for leaving include disagreements with Church teachings and simple disinterest in religion. Despite these departures, many former Catholics retain cultural and familial connections to the faith, explaining why Catholicism’s cultural footprint remains so much larger than its formal membership would suggest.
Enduring Catholic Influence
The comprehensive Pew Research Center survey, which included 9,544 U.S. adults with 1,787 Catholics among them, paints a picture of Catholicism as a resilient cultural force in American society. While formal religious practice has declined, Catholic identity continues to shape the lives of nearly half of Americans in various ways. This enduring influence extends through family connections, cultural traditions, moral frameworks, and occasional religious participation that falls short of full observance.
President Trump’s recent recognition of Catholic organizations for their charitable contributions underscores the ongoing significance of Catholic institutions in American civic life. As the nation continues to navigate religious and cultural changes, Catholicism remains a foundational element of American identity for millions of citizens, regardless of their level of formal religious practice. The faith’s ability to maintain such widespread cultural relevance, even amid declining church attendance, testifies to its deep roots in the American experience.
