Understanding Catholic Identity: Why Americans Stay, and Why They Leave – A Pew Research Center Analysis
(Published December 15, 2025)
for centuries, Catholicism has been a cornerstone of the American religious landscape. but like other faiths, it’s experiencing shifts in affiliation.A new analysis from Pew Research Center delves into the complex reasons why individuals identify as Catholic, and equally importantly, why others choose to leave the faith.This research is part of a larger inquiry into religious switching patterns across the United states, examining the motivations behind both remaining in and departing from one’s childhood religion.
Why This Research Matters
At Pew Research Center,we are dedicated to providing the public,journalists,and policymakers with high-quality,nonpartisan data.Understanding the evolving religious identities of Americans is a crucial component of our ongoing research agenda, offering valuable insights into the social and cultural forces shaping the nation. Learn more about pew Research Center.
Key Findings & Related Reports
This analysis doesn’t exist in a vacuum. it builds upon a broader understanding of religious trends in the U.S. Alongside this report on Catholicism, Pew Research Center has recently published related studies exploring:
* Protestantism: Why some Americans Have Left Protestantism While Others stay or Join
* Religious Affiliation (or Lack Thereof): Why Many U.S.Adults Are ‘Nones’ and Why Some former ‘Nones’ Have Joined a Religion
* Religious upbringing of Children: how Parents Are Raising Their Children, Religiously
* The overarching report: Why Do some americans Leave Their Religion While Others Stay?
How We Conducted the Research
This analysis draws on data from two significant surveys:
* American trends Panel (ATP) Survey (May 5-11, 2025): We surveyed 8,937 U.S. adults participating in our nationally representative American Trends Panel.You can review the survey questions, [topline results](https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2025/12/PR_