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Public confidence in Pope falling, poll shows

April 09, 2010

Media reports about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church have taken heavy toll on public confidence in Pope Benedict XVI, a Pew Forum survey finds. The number of Americans saying that the Pontiff has done a "poor" or "only fair" job in handling abuse problems soared from 48 to 71% between April 2008 and April 2010, the Pew poll found. The number of respondents saying that the Pope had done a "good" or "excellent" job fell from 39 to 12%.

 


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  • Posted by: drl12501082 - Apr. 10, 2010 2:06 PM ET USA

    Who are these people they poll? Are they believing Catholics who go to church regularly? I know people who call themselves Catholic, but they do not go to church or believe & follow its teachings--What are they really?

  • Posted by: - Apr. 09, 2010 8:46 PM ET USA

    My heart and prayers go out to Pope Benedict. We need to pray a lot harder. These are terrible times for the Church.

  • Posted by: - Apr. 09, 2010 7:09 PM ET USA

    My reaction to the latest poll is "Thank God for Benedict XVI". The only poll I trust is Jesus' poll. Do the american catholics think that Jesus' Church is the democratic party. If it was, then Nancy Pelosi would be Pope Nancy. Doesn't that have a nice ring to it. As I always say, the Protestant church has plenty of room for those lapsed catholics.

  • Posted by: - Apr. 09, 2010 6:53 PM ET USA

    Wait a second.... 48% disapproved of him in April 2008????? In other words. almost 50% disapprove of him just for being Pope. With that hardcore base of disapproval, even a little bad publicity will kick his negatives up...

  • Posted by: mmbarto - Apr. 09, 2010 5:04 PM ET USA

    It's unfortunate that so many folks are so ill informed...the Holy Father really takes it on the chin for all the evil done by some of our priests. Need for more prayers for all...!

  • Posted by: - Apr. 09, 2010 12:11 PM ET USA

    The mud-slinging has had its intended effect.