Scott Hahn on the Latest Pew Research Center Poll

The Road to Emmaus has become one of the leading Catholic podcasts today. Hosted by Scott Hahn, it offers Catholics clear and helpful tips on how to live out their faith more fully, with a strong foundation in Scripture and theology. The Road to Emmaus also features conversations with guest theologians, scholars, and friends on timely topics for the Church today. 

On a recent episode, Dr. Hahn spoke with his long-time friend Rob Corzine, Vice President of Programs at the St. Paul Center. Dr. Hahn and Corzine discuss the recent Pew Research Center poll on Catholics’ belief in the Eucharist. Many commenters have focused on the result that only 31 percent of Catholics believe in the Real Presence. But as Corzine and Dr. Hahn point out, the researchers asked another important question: “What do you think the Catholic Church teaches about the Eucharist?” 

The results of this question are at the same time relieving and worrying: the majority of Catholics who believe that the Eucharist is only a symbol mistakenly believe that this is what the Church teaches. On the one hand, at least Catholics are following what they think the Church teaches. On the other, this is a huge catechetical failure.  

Corzine and Dr. Hahn, both converts to the faith, talk about why they came to believe in the Real Presence, what we as a Church should do to restore and cultivate faith in the Real Presence, and what each of us can do personally to respond to the gift of Christ in the Eucharist.  

You can listen to this episode of The Road to Emmaus on StPaulCenter.comApple PodcastsGoogle PlayStitcheror wherever you listen to podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to stay updated on new episodes with Scott Hahn and guest speakers.  

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We’ve all heard the statistic that only a little over 30 percent of Catholics in America believe in the Real Presence. But one statistic that came out of the recent Pew poll has been largely overlooked: most of the 70 percent of Catholics who believe the Eucharist is merely a symbol also believe that this is what the Church teaches. If this is true, we’re not just facing a crisis of faith, but a crisis of catechesis. What can we do to make sure more Catholics are taught the truth of what the Church teaches about the Eucharist? Listen to this episode of The Road to Emmaus to learn more.