Core and Periphery in American Catholic Identity

Catholicism, like all old religious traditions, contains numerous teachings, rules, devotions, and practices. Catholics today ask themselves what is essential in Catholicism and what is optional. We carried out two surveys of American Catholics, asking them to rate numerous elements as to what is core and what is peripheral. The surveys agreed that sacraments and helping the poor are seen as central, while some specific teachings such as belief that only men can be priests and opposition to the death penalty are peripheral. These findings indicate where Catholics' central commitments lie and what elements of the faith are seen as optional and open to re-thinking.