Survey finds the majority of Catholics don’t believe in the ‘Real Presence’ during communion

During communion, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that the bread and wine turn into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus. This doctrine is referred to as the ‘Real Presence.’ This is why centuries ago, congregations, fearful they might drop the bread and spill the wine, demanded that priests hold the cup as they drank…

Dean Smith

September 29, 2023

1–2 minutes

blog, Communion, Real Presence, Roman Catholic Church, Roman Catholic doctrine

During communion, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that the bread and wine turn into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus. This doctrine is referred to as the ‘Real Presence.’

This is why centuries ago, congregations, fearful they might drop the bread and spill the wine, demanded that priests hold the cup as they drank and put the bread into the mouth of church members.

Well, it seems today that most Catholics do not believe this ancient Catholic doctrine, Aletieia reports.

In a 2022 survey conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, Catholics were asked through an open-ended question to define ‘Real Presence’.

According to the survey results:

35% answered in accordance with Catholic doctrine that it was the actual blood and flesh of Christ.
51% believed that the Catholic Church taught that the wine and bread were symbolic. This is the position held by Evangelical Christianity.
The answers of most of the remainder suggested a confusion or unawareness of Catholic teaching on the Real Presence.

READ: Survey finds majority of Catholics do believe in Real Presence