TORONTO – Although most Canadians view Pope Francis and his “simpler lifestyle” in a positive light, 42 per cent don’t think the pontiff has done enough on the issue of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, according to a recent survey.
Released on Friday, the Angus Reid Global survey asked respondents from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom their views on Pope Francis as the pontiff marks his one year of papacy on March 13.
Overall, from the three countries surveyed, Canadians identified themselves as having the strongest ties to the Catholic Church.
According to the findings, a majority of the respondents—both Catholic and non-Catholic Canadians—view the Pope as having a positive effect on the church. While nearly two in five of Canadians said that while Francis has improved their view of the Catholic Church, only 14 per cent of non-practicing or “lapsed” Catholic Canadians said they would explore coming back to the church.
Less focus on sexuality, more focus on poverty
Canadians are the most enthusiastic about Francis’ desire to move the church’s focus away from issues of homosexuality and reproduction by putting more emphasis on poverty. Over 56 per cent of non-Catholics and 72 per cent of Catholics viewed Francis’ comments in a positive view.
Action still needed on sexual abuse
When it came to dealing with sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, the survey found that 42 per cent of Canadians say Pope Francis did not do enough in his first year. This number drops to 32 per cent among practicing Catholics.
Americans are most forgiving on this issue with 33 per cent of those surveyed saying they believe Francis has done enough.
READ MORE: Vatican comes under sharp criticism for sex abuse
Francis is coming under increasing criticism from victims’ advocates who say the pontiff simply needs to do more when it comes to dealing with the issue of sex abuse.
Three months after the Vatican announced a commission of experts to study best practices on protecting children, no action has been taken, no members appointed, no statute outlining the commission’s scope approved.
Living a simpler, less luxurious life
Eighty-two per cent of Canadians said they have “positive feelings” about the pontiff giving up the “the trappings of luxury in his daily life.”
READ MORE: Pope offended by his own myth, mystique
In an interview on Wednesday, Francis said he found the hype that is increasingly surrounding him “offensive.”
“The pope is a man who laughs, cries, sleeps calmly and has friends like everyone else. A normal person,” he said.
– With files from The Associated Press
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