As fewer Americans interact with pastors on a regular basis, fewer say they trust clergy overall.

Trust in pastors fell for the third straight year and reached an all-time low. Around 1 in 3 Americans (34 percent) rate the honesty and ethical standards of clergy as high or very high, according to the latest Gallup survey.

Downward trends in church attendance accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more Americans staying home each Sunday, fewer personally know a local church pastor. The lack of individual knowledge means more people associate pastors as a whole with the scandals surrounding individual church leaders.

The 34 percent who believe pastors have high ethical standards marks a two-point drop from the previous historic low last year of 36 percent.

Declining trust in pastors

Previously, Americans said pastors had a high or very high ethical standard and level of honesty,…