Do Catholics Read the Bible?

As a minister with over 40 years of experience in the gospel (reaching people of all faiths), I’m often interested in the intersection of data and faith. Recently, I’ve been looking at data on Catholics’ love for reading, learning, and going deeper into their understanding of the Word of God. Commonly, in my Charismatic/Evangelical background, I’ve heard for years that (allegedly) Catholics not only don’t read the Bible but don’t even BELIEVE the Bible! Is this true? One of the most striking things I’ve found is that Catholics have a deep hunger for Scripture. This is evident in a number of ways. For example, a recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that 70% of Catholics say they read the Bible at least once a week.

This is more than Evangelicals read their Bibles. Evangelicals according to Pew, by their own admission, only 63% of Evangelicals professing a born-again experience read their Bibles once a week. Yet we commonly hear Evangelicals insist that Catholics, on the whole, don’t believe or read the Bible like “we” do. Perhaps this is a case of “face answering to face,” as the scripture says. When we make assumptions about others, it reflects our own shortcomings. However, we read Facebook, social media, etc., multitudes of times a week. Hmmmm. 

Another study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) found that 83% of Catholics are interested in learning more about the Bible. This interest is not just limited to the clergy or those involved in formal religious education programs. Rather, it is widespread among Catholics of all ages and backgrounds. So why do Catholics have such a deep love for Scripture? I believe there are a few reasons. First, Catholics are known to believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. They see it as a source of truth, wisdom, and guidance. Second, Catholics (according to their own Catechism) believe that the Bible is essential for their spiritual growth. They see reading and studying Scripture as a way to deepen their relationship with God and to learn more about his will for their lives.

Finally, Catholics believe that the Bible is relevant to their everyday lives. They see it as a source of comfort, strength, and inspiration. They believe that the Bible can help them to make good decisions and to live a life that is pleasing to God. The data on Catholics’ love for Scripture is clear and compelling. Catholics have a deep hunger for Scripture, and they see it as an essential part of their faith lives. This is a good thing because the Bible is a powerful spiritual growth and transformation tool.

Whether you are a Catholic or Non-Catholic, are you hungry to learn more of God’s word, the Bible?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Provide opportunities to read and study the Bible together. This could be done through Bible studies, small groups, or retreats.
• Encourage yourself and others to use study resources, such as commentaries and Bible dictionaries, to help them understand Scripture more deeply.
• Listen to teachers and ministers who give messages, homilies, and catechesis that are rooted in Scripture. Consider what you hear to see how the Bible applies to everyday life.
• Make the Bible accessible in your home, your car, at work, and on your devices.