Quote of the Day

When it comes to the morality of homosexuality and contraception . . . women are slightly more likely than men to say that individuals themselves should have the final say about what is right and what is wrong. Upward of six in 10 women (61 percent) say that individuals know best about the morality of homosexuality, compared with 53 percent of men. And fully seven in 10 women say individuals themselves are the best judges of the morality of contraception, compared with 63 percent of men.

. . . On most of the issues we asked about, majorities of Catholics surveyed say that the locus of moral authority resides with individuals, who should decide for themselves after taking church teachings into account. One in five Catholics or fewer says that church leaders such as the pope and bishops are the proper arbiters of right and wrong in these areas. Between one-fifth and one-third of Catholics say that moral authority is best exercised by individuals and church leaders working together.

– The Catholics in America Research Team
"Right and Wrong: Who Has Final Say?"
National Catholic Reporter
October 24, 2011

Recommended Off-site Link:
New survey offers portrait of U.S. Catholics – William V. D'Antonio (National Catholic Reporter, October 24, 2011).
A Church in Flux – Thomas P. Rausch (America via The Progressive Catholic Voice, October 19, 2011).

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Quote of the Day – October 25, 2011
Tips for Thinking Catholics
Reflections on the Primacy of Conscience
The Question of an "Informed" Catholic Conscience
"Conscience Is the Highest Norm"
A Catholic Understanding of Faithful Dissent (Part 1)
A Catholic Understanding of Faithful Dissent (Part 2)