May 28, 2026: Church Leaders Discuss Political Issues

In a new Pew Research Center survey, 1,391 adults who attend religious services at least once a month reported that clergy have spoken on at least one political or social issue in the past few months. The data show that abortion, the Israel‑Palestine conflict, and homosexuality top the list of topics most often mentioned by leaders across America.

Overall, 66 percent of respondents heard sermons on one of seven key issues: abortion, Israel, homosexuality, immigration, U.S. military action in Iran, the environment, or transgender identity. Abortion was cited in 35 percent of responses, followed closely by Israel at 34 percent and homosexuality at 31 percent.

Clergy typically preach against abortion, homosexuality, and transgender identity, while offering support for Israel. When asked about immigration, most pastors discuss welcoming and supporting newcomers (15 percent) rather than advocating stricter enforcement, and similarly emphasize environmental protection over criticism of environmental regulations.

The survey also breaks down responses by denomination and race. Catholics are most likely to hear sermons on abortion (49 percent) and immigration (41 percent). White evangelicals are 43 percent more likely to hear clergy speak against abortion and 42 percent against homosexuality. Conversely, black Protestants are most likely to hear messages about Israel (32 percent), immigration (31 percent), and homosexuality (30 percent).

White non‑evangelical Protestants hear most about the environment (27 percent) and immigration (27 percent). Catholic respondents report a high frequency of sermons addressing abortion, immigration, and U.S. military action in Iran.

Perception of clergy partisanship varied: among white evangelicals, 36 percent believe their leaders lean Republican, with only 3 percent leaning Democratic. Among black Protestants, 21 percent view leaders as Democratic and 8 percent as Republican.

Beyond the survey, local actions reinforce the intersection of faith and politics. On May 29, Nebraska Catholic Bishops issued a statement endorsing solidarity with the Jewish community after the governor’s executive order on antisemitism. The bishops quoted how they join their Jewish brothers and sisters in calling out rising antisemitism across state, nation, and world.

These findings illustrate that while religious leaders continue to engage with contentious social and political issues, the themes remain relatively stable over a decade. Even amid significant events such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 or new immigration policies, clergy largely maintain consistent messaging on abortion, immigration, and environmental stewardship.

Understanding these patterns helps observers gauge how faith communities reflect and potentially influence public opinion on contemporary policy debates. Whether one views these sermons as moral guidance or political endorsement, the Pew data confirms that the pulpit remains a prominent venue for discussing America’s most pressing social questions.