A new survey of American Catholics under 30 — “millenials” –finds some surprises:

Among the survey’s positive findings:

— When asked to choose among five long-term life goals, 31 percent of millennials chose “to be spiritual or close to God” as their top goal, the highest among any generation.

— Two-thirds (67 percent) of millennials and 71 percent of Catholic millennials said they had volunteered their time in the past 12 months, roughly equal to the percentages among other generations.

— A majority of millennials (56 percent)and Catholic millennials (52 percent) had donated money to a charity in the past year. Although the percentages were higher at 67 percent for both Americans in general and American Catholics overall, the difference could be attributed to the fact that the younger people have lower incomes.

— Well over half of millennials (61 percent) and Catholic millennials (65 percent) were very or somewhat interested in learning more about their faith. Among practicing Catholics, 84 percent said they were very or somewhat interested.

But the survey also had some negative findings:

— Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of millennials in general and 82 percent of Catholic millennials agreed with the statement that “morals are relative; that is, there is no definite right or wrong for everybody.” A majority in every category except practicing Catholics (46 percent) agreed with that statement.

— Only 33 percent of millennials and 25 percent of Catholic millennials said they attended religious services at least once a month.

— Nearly two-thirds of Catholic millennials (64 percent) described themselves as at least somewhat more “spiritual” than “religious,” about the same as millennials in general (66 percent) and Americans in general (63 percent).

— Sixty-one percent of Catholic millennials said they believe it is OK for people of their religion to practice more than one religion, compared to 54 percent of Americans in general and 43 percent of practicing Catholics.

Check out more at the CNS link.