Most British Roman Catholics disagree with their Church's position on issues including contraception, abortion and homosexuality, a survey has suggested.

As the Pope prepares to travel to the UK for the first papal visit in 28 years, a poll by ITV's Tonight programme found that while many respondents were supportive of Benedict XVI, others thought the Catholic Church had been permanently damaged by child abuse scandals.

Just over one in 10 (11%) agreed with the doctrine that abortion should only be allowed as an indirect consequence of life-saving treatment.

A further 44% believed it should also be permitted in cases of rape, incest and severe disability to the child, while almost a third (30%) said the procedure should always be allowed.

Just 6% said terminations should be banned in all circumstances.

Asked about contraception, 4% agreed with the Church that it was wrong. Around seven in 10 (71%) said it should be used more often.

Almost a quarter (23%) said it was entirely up to couples whether they used contraception.

More than a quarter (28%) said adults were free to do what they wanted in their own homes, with 41% saying gay and straight relationships should be celebrated.

This contrasted with the 11% who said homosexual acts were morally wrong.

Just under two-thirds (65%) believed Catholic priests should be allowed to marry, with a quarter (27%) saying they should remain celibate.