Marist Poll Commissioned by Knights of Columbus Released at National
Press Club
WASHINGTON, March 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Americans have an
overwhelmingly positive view of Pope Benedict XVI on the eve of his visit
to the United States, according to a new poll released today at a Newsmaker
event at the National Press Club. The poll was commissioned by the Knights
of Columbus and conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public
Opinion between February 25 and March 5, 2008. The results were announced
by Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.
By a ratio of four and a half to one (58% to 13%), respondents said
that they had a favorable or very favorable view of Pope Benedict. The poll
also found that an even higher percentage -- 65% -- have a favorable view
of the Catholic Church, although a higher portion, 28% have a negative
view.
Forty-two percent of Americans said that they would like to attend one
of the Pope's public appearances while he is in the United States, and 66%
of Catholics said they'd like to attend one of the events. Pope Benedict
will be celebrating large open-air Masses in Washington, D.C. (at Nationals
Stadium) and New York City (Yankee Stadium), and will host several smaller
gatherings with Catholic educators, seminarians and leaders of other
religious faiths. Anderson also unveiled a special new website
(http://www.papaltrip.org) that offers detailed information about the Pope's trip,
as well as historical material about previous popes and their dealings with
the Catholic Church in the United States.
Seventy percent or more want to hear Pope Benedict talk about: allowing
God to be a part of their daily lives (73%), finding spiritual fulfillment
by sharing their time and talent (71%) and how they can make a positive
difference in the world, their state, and communities (70%). Nearly
two-thirds (64%) expressed an interest in hearing Pope Benedict talk about
how they can have a society where spiritual values play an important role.
"The bottom line," Anderson said, "is that, despite years of very
negative stories about the Catholic Church scandals, and dissenting view of
the Pope as some sort of 'panzercardinal' determined to pursue the
unorthodox to the ends of the earth, the American people have a very
sensible and balanced view of Benedict and the Church. And they are very
open to hearing his views on matters of how they might live their faith and
put it into action in their daily lives."
The full results of the poll can be found at the Knights of Columbus
website, at http://www.kofc.org/un/cmf/resources/maristpoll.pdf.
SOURCE Knights of Columbus
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Related links:
http://www.kofc.org
http://www.papaltrip.org
CONTACT:
Pat Korten of Knights of Columbus,
+1-203-430-6695
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