For those of you who frequent my blog, you know that I often compare the differences between the Novus Ordo and the Traditional Latin Mass. You know that I have a strong preference for the Traditional Latin Mass and believe that it is not only better but far superior to the Novus Ordo. But is there any way to show some substantive evidence that the TLM is, in fact, better than the NO? At least, can we demonstrate that those who attend the TLM believe more of what the Church teaches and adhere to her doctrines?
The other day, my mother-in-law told me that she would love to see a statistical comparison between Novus Ordo Catholics and Traditional Catholics to see the differences between what percent of each group actually believes in the Church’s teachings and practices. Ironically enough, I saw that on Facebook somebody shared this information.
Now to be academically and intellectually honest, I’m unsure where the statistics came from for the TLM Catholics polled. However, the sample size is rather large (considering there are statistically far less TLM Catholics than Catholics at large) and so I believe it is at least worth looking at and commenting on. It is also worth mentioning that the “Catholics” category includes all types of Catholics from TLM Catholics to NO Catholics to heretical Catholics.
According to a 2016 Pew Research poll, only 13% of Catholics believe that contraception is not permissible. Of the 841 TLM Catholics who responded, 98% believe that contraception is not permissible.
With the same poll, 53% of Catholics believe abortion is not permissible, compared to 98% of the 833 TLM Catholics who responded.
A 2017 CARA poll shows that 23% of Catholics attend Mass, compared to 99% of 824 TLM Catholics.
The same poll shows that 33% of Catholics believe marriage is between a man and a woman, compared to 99% of 826 TLM Catholics.
A 2013 Catholic Philly poll shows that Catholics only give 1.2% in the collection, as opposed to TLM Catholics who give 6.2%. I take this one with a grain of salt as the Catholic Philly is out of Philadelphia, and this could potentially be an outlier.
A 2015 Pew Research poll shows that only 43% of Catholics go to confession once a year as well as weekly Mass, as opposed to 99% of TLM Catholics (only 81 samples though).
The same poll shows that Catholics have an average of 2.3 children, whereas TLM Catholics have an average of 3.7 children (with 494 responses).
Overall, the numbers are revealing a disturbing trend in that NO Catholics appear not to know their faith and quite possibly, may not believe it too.
And yes, this is just one poll whose origins are unknown to us at this time, but it certainly lends to the idea that traditional Catholicism, or Catholicism as I like to call it, is indeed better for souls than what the majority of prelates are peddling as Catholic. If I can track down where this poll came from, I will certainly let you know.
The very fact that the attitude within the Church is that the people who believe in her teachings are somehow detrimental to those who oppose her teachings is complete nonsense. Solemn non-sense even.
