Only 13 Percent of Spain's Catholics Heed Faith; Poll Shows 14.7 Percent of Spaniards Are Atheists

The Catholic News Agency website reports today (January 15, 2012) that a new study -- conducted by the Center for Sociological Studies in Spain -- shows that despite over 70 percent of Spaniards identifying themselves as Catholics, only 13.6 percent say they practice their faith and attend church services on Sundays and holy days.

Of all those polled by the survey who say they are believers -- both Catholics and those of other religions -- 58.2 percent "almost never" attend church services.

Those who said they attend religious services "several times a year" came to 17.7 percent of the population, while those who practice their faith "once a month" was 7.3 percent.

The poll also showed that 14.7 percent of Spain's population was comprised of non-believers.