by Emily Lopez
In a world growing less interested in institutional religion and less tolerant of moral truth, it was interesting to read the latest Pew study (June 2025) citing that 47% of all adults in the United States have a personal or family connection to the Catholic faith.
Of that group, 20% of U.S. adults self-identify as Catholics. In an effort to measure “observance,” Pew offered three areas of activity — prayer, Mass attendance and the reception of sacramental confession. In their self-assessment, 13% of those identifying as Catholics qualified as deeply observant in that they practiced daily prayer, attended Mass weekly and received confession at least once a year.
On the other hand, 13% of those identifying as Catholic also qualified as nonobservant in their admission of seldom/never praying, seldom/never attending Mass and never going to confession. Between those two groups are 74% of Catholics.
My guess is that you can name someone in each of these groups, labeled as observant or nonobservant. Most likely, you are related or know them as a close friend. However, between these two groups are those 74% of self-identified Catholics.
This group in the middle is an interesting bunch. While self-identifying as Catholic, they are only moderately engaged in the most important sacramental and relational tenets of our faith. And yet they are attached.
In a society intent on personal preference and impulsive behavior, they continue to remain tethered to some part of their faith life. This tether, fragile as it may be, presents a significant opening for evangelization. Many of them pray occasionally, attend Mass on major feasts or retain Catholic identity for family reasons. These practices —though inconsistent — signal that the roots of faith have not been lost, only neglected.
For the church, this middle ground is fertile soil. For us — as the church — these are occasions for engagement and accompaniment. This study provides the background for us to know that we are living in a time of great opportunity.
Despite turmoil in the past 15 years, both within and outside of the institutional church, there remains a tether of something connecting the individual soul to the practice of Catholic faith.
With joyful witness, authentic listening and personal accompaniment, many in this group can be drawn into deeper practice.
In other words, evangelization in the United States may not begin from a place of absence, but from reawakening a presence already there.
Let us step into the opportunities that God gives each of us to share his joy with others, trusting the grace of the Holy Spirit to guide those we love!
