What his polling says about us

Speaking before 100-plus Catholic University of America students and faculty members Jan. 20, the day after Iowa, Zogby had the data to back up a harsh critique.

“The Catholic church in America risks becoming as strange and alien to Americans as Michael Jackson,” he told the group.

Zogby termed his presentation, The American Catholic Laity, a “work in progress.” He’s still crunching numbers and drawing conclusions. But one result is clear: Americans, Catholics and non-Catholics, do not understand and will not support any institution that rejects accountability. “The tragedy of Bernard Law epitomizes the difficulties that the Catholic church confronts in America,” declared Zogby.

Now, as the article says, Z. is still “crunching the numbers,” but I would really like to see what the sample was before I make any judgements on this study – who are the “Catholics?” How do they self-identify? Are they Mass-goers? (that always makes a huge difference when you poll Catholics, and probably any other religious adherant). Why do I say this? Because as bad as things are, I find it really difficult to believe that only 29% of “younger Catholics” believe that “Jesus rose bodily from the dead.” I do. Unless they don’t understand that this is what “resurrection” means. Which is always a possibility.