Study explores ‘Jesus without Church’ paradox

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 4, 2025 / 15:04 pm (CNA).

The number of people who believe their faith does not depend on attending Mass has increased as more Catholics are cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus, according to a recent survey of U.S. Catholic beliefs.

ACS Technologies, a church management software and data analysis company, investigated the trends in “American Beliefs Study: Religious Preferences and Practices.” The study researched the religious preferences, practices, beliefs, and media habits of Americans. 

Initially conducted in 2012-2013 and repeated in 2016-2017, 2020-2021, and 2024-2025, the study reflects the responses of roughly 60,000 participants over time. The most recent version of the study surveyed more than 15,000 Americans on Christian preferences, affiliations, values, and beliefs.

ACST Catholic, a business of ACS Technologies, specifically examined the feedback from 3,100 self-identified Catholic participants in the most recent survey. The updated findings were published in a recent guide: “The Evolving Landscape of Catholic Beliefs in 2025.”

The research revealed the percentage of Catholics who say they have a personal relationship with Jesus jumped from 61% in 2021 to 68% in 2025. There was also an increase in respondents who said belief in Jesus does not require participation in Mass, increasing from 68% to 71%.

Nearly half of Catholic respondents reported irregular Mass attendance. They gave reasons that have been consistent in each wave of the study. The most common reasons people reported were that religion is too focused on money, they have fallen out of the habit since COVID-19, religious people are too judgmental, and they do not trust religious leaders or organized religion. 

“The encouraging news from our latest survey is that core Catholic beliefs — such as the Resurrection and the divinity and humanity of Jesus — have grown,” said Terry Poplava, general manager of ACST Catholic and author of the study. 

The data found an increase in Catholics who expressed agreement that Jesus rose from the dead. In 2021, 44% of Catholics strongly agreed Jesus rose from the dead, (67% somewhat and strongly agreed). In 2025, 49% strongly agree (72% somewhat and strongly agree). Regarding the belief that Jesus was both divine and human, agreement increased from 74% to 78%.

What Catholics seek in a parish

As the study found a number of Catholics are questioning parish life, it also examined what people are seeking in a parish.

“Authentic community and meaningful relationships are even more important to people than quality sermons or sacramental celebrations,” Poplava said. “Our parishes have an opportunity to respond to this need and foster the real connections people are longing for.”

The 2021 research found Catholics often seek “warm and friendly encounters” when looking for a new parish. The 2025 response found three things Catholics seek: warm and friendly encounters (63%), quality sermons (56%), and celebration of sacraments (53%). 

Catholics who strongly agree that they seek warm and friendly encounters in a parish grew from 32% to 36%. However, the importance of the celebration of sacraments decreased from 37% to 33% and the quality of sermons slightly decreased from 31% to 30%.

More than half of Catholics reported they prefer a traditional worship experience (53%) to contemporary (30%). Poplava said: “Existing churches are being renovated to appear more traditional, including icons, candles, and windows. All of this is intended to instill a sense of reverence, awe, and respect for the sacred space.”

Despite the data finding that parish life faces “persistent challenges,” it also found that “personal faith is deepening” within the Catholic landscape.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/267573/study-explores-jesus-without-church-paradox