Catholicism is the religion of choice among the majority of Latinos in the U.S., but according to a new study, Latinos are choosing other options. 

The study, released by the Pew Research Center, features a nationwide survey of more than 5,000 Latinos. Findings showed those who identify as Catholic declined from 67 percent in 2010 to 55 percent in 2013, revealing a 12 percent drop of Latino Catholics over a three year period. 

According to the study, 22 percent are Protestant (which includes those who describe themselves as born-again and evangelicals) and 15 percent do not believe in a particular religion. 

The most dramatic changes are among young Latinos. Latinos 18 to 29 years old who identify as Catholic fell from 60 to 45 percent since 2010. In addition, young latinos who describe themselves as unaffiliated or non-religious continue to rise from 13 to 31 percent. 

Simultaneously, the majority of Latinos 50 and older remain Catholic, only a 7 percent change from 71 to 64 percent. 

"Latino Catholics now live in a world of religious pluralism that is relatively new. The Latino church in Latin America was a monopoly for several centuries. Increased options reflect the reality of today," Father Allan Figueroa Deck, professor at Loyola Marymont University told Los Angeles Times. 

The survey asked participants to provide reasons for leaving the Catholic church, based on findings, more than half say they stopped believing in the teachings of their childhood religion. Others say Catholicism has not adapted to modern concepts.