The National Vital Statistics System estimates that there were 2,118,000 marriages celebrated in the United States in 2011. Only 163,775 marriages were celebrated in U.S. Catholic churches. That is just 7.7 percent of all marriages, Mark Gray, of Georgetown’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, points out on his blog, “1964.” Catholics make up nearly a quarter of the population and are no less likely to marry than those of other affiliations. “This means,” says Gray, “that Catholics marrying these days are just as likely…to celebrate their marriages at the beach or country club than in their parish.” What impact does being married outside of the church have on divorce odds? “We don’t know,” he writes. “We need another survey!” At 27 percent, Catholics who “experience divorce” (from other Catholics) are far fewer than in other U.S. denominations. That is still a daunting figure, he says. “It is important to remember that the percentage represents more than 11 million individuals,” Gray writes. “Some are likely in need of more outreach and ongoing ministry from the church.”

This article appears in October 14 2013.