72% Of Americans Hold Catholic Sisters In High Regard, Yet Have Limited Understanding Of Their Work
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Launches "Sister To All" Campaign to Tell Their Stories
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Sister Karen Bland, Benedictine Sisters of Chicago (OSB), has served as Executive Director of Grand Valley Catholic Outreach in Grand Junction, Colorado. She is known throughout the state for her leadership in preventing and ending homelessness. (PRNewsFoto/Conrad N. Hilton Foundation)
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation today announced the results of a recent market research study that shows that Catholic sisters, while highly respected, remain a mystery to most Americans.
The survey reveals that Catholic sisters are trusted by a significant majority of Americans (73 percent), and even more said their work is important (83 percent). However, the research also showed that perceptions of Catholic sisters are somewhat dated, shaped primarily by fictional stories and the media versus interpersonal encounters. For example, 42 percent of respondents indicated the majority of Catholic sisters today wear habits, 21 percent believe they live in seclusion, and 37 percent thought their work has little or no impact on non-Catholics.
In reality, although some Catholic sisters wear habits and some live in cloistered communities, most Catholic sisters in the U.S. wear simple modern clothing and most are out in the world helping marginalized communities, advocating for social justice, and educating millions of young people and adults.
The Hilton Foundation commissioned the market research study in 2015 to better understand how the U.S. public currently perceives women religious. It showed that a strong majority of Americans (72 percent) and Catholics (87 percent) view Catholic sisters favorably, more so than the Catholic Church overall. Furthermore, learning about Catholic sisters has a "halo effect:" when respondents were given more information about Catholic sisters, perceptions of sisters, the Catholic Church, and priests all increased.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/72-percent-of-americans-hold-catholic-sisters-in-high-regard-yet-have-limited-understanding-of-their-lifestyle-and-work-300322251.html
http://nationalcatholicsistersweek.org/sister-to-all.php
