Protestants overtake Catholics on church attendance in Gallup survey

Published: 2003-12-24

PRINCETON, N.J. (CNS) -- Although weekly church attendance among U.S. Catholics "appears to be on the rebound" from an all-time low of 35 percent last February, the level of church attendance by Protestants remains slightly higher, according to poll data released by Gallup. "Historical Gallup Poll data show that Protestants have now clearly overtaken Catholics in church attendance, for the first time in Gallup polling history," said a commentary by George H. Gallup Jr., chairman of the George H. Gallup International Institute. The commentary and data were released Dec. 16 as part of the "Gallup Poll Tuesday Briefing." The November 2003 data show that 45 percent of Catholics and 48 percent of Protestants say they attend church services weekly. Nine months earlier, the figures were 35 percent for Catholics and 47 percent for Protestants. "The latest November figure shows a decided rebound in attendance at Mass, but Catholics still trail Protestants by a small margin," Gallup said.

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