Abortion has always been a controversial topic with the Catholic Church. Even Pope Francis, whose stance on economic injustice was commendable, recently spoke in support of an anti-choice rally in the U.S. and called abortion “horrific” in his  ‘State Of The World’ address.

But a recent survey shows that practicing Catholics may not agree with the Church on this issue, among several others.  Of the 12,000 Catholics from 12 countries who were interviewed for the survey, 65% said abortion should be allowed, and 78% supported the use of contraception. The Guardian has a full report on the attitudes to the Church’s teachings on divorce, homosexuality and other topics.

The percentage of people disagreeing with the Church on abortion varied worldwide. While large numbers of Catholics in the US and Europe were at odds with the Church’s teachings, the numbers were much lower in countries in the Global South.

In the Philippines, where abortion is illegal under all circumstances, 73% agreed with the law and with the Church’s teachings. Only 27% agreed that abortion could be allowed under a few circumstances. This is not surprising in a country where the Catholic Church has a strong presence, and where there is little political will to refine the law. Anti-choice teachings, introduced in schools, colleges, medical and nursing schools imbue the community with stigma and guilt, making it extremely hard for women and girls experiencing an unwanted pregnancy to seek abortion. While several organizations are working against the stigma, their work is often halted by anti-choice elements,  several of which are backed by strong political forces.

In 2012, the Philippines passed the RH Bill making the use of modern contraceptives legal under circumstances under which it was not previously allowed or approved. After this the attitude to contraception has changed remarkably. In the survey, 68% of the interviewed Filipinos supported the use of contraceptives. The RH Bill can pave the way for conversations on abortion, and a survey such as this ould be the support that Catholics working in hostile environments are waiting for. Knowing that Catholics around the world are making choices that are at odds with the Church’s core beliefs might help many young women in the Philippines and other conservative countries exercise their right, and work towards building a guilt and judgment free environment.

Shortly after the 7th APCRSHR in Manila, ASAP conducted a Regional Strategy Planning Meeting, which was attended by several of ASAP’s partner organizations. Speaking about the strong hold of the Catholic religion in the Philippines, Jon O’Brien, the President of Catholics For Choice, said, “There is a need to separate the Catholic people from the Catholic hierarchy. It is the hierarchy that is against abortion. The Catholic people are not.”

Catholics marry, get divorced, use contraception, have children, have abortions, are gay or straight, irrespective of what the Catholic hierarchy thinks, he said. And the survey echoes his opinion.