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THE CATHOLIC PROJECT

at The Catholic University of America

An initiative from Catholic University to foster effective collaboration
between the clergy and the laity of the Church
in the wake of the sexual abuse crisis.

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National Study of Catholic Priests

Well-being, Trust, and Policy in a Time of Crisis

The largest priesthood study in over 50 years
looking at the Church's response to abuse.
Watch the presentation

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Current Projects

National Study of Catholic Priests

National survey of Catholic priests and bishops about the impact of the abuse crisis

National Eucharistic Revival

Catholic U. is fully engaged with the USCCB's call for renewed devotion to the Eucharist

Synod on Synodality

Catholic University participated in a synod series in the Spring of 2022

Diocesan Bankruptcy

Sharing Marie Reilly's work on diocesan bankruptcy

What We Do

The Catholic Project brings together clergy and laity to address the challenges that the Catholic Church faces in the U.S. As the bishops’ university, Catholic University is uniquely situated to bring about needed change in accordance with its mission, “to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, all in service to the Church, the nation and the world.”

The Catholic Project addresses accountability, transparency, evangelization, reform, and renewal. The facets of our work include education and formation, research, events, and media.

Our Work

News & Commentary

Unpacking news and information

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Stephen's Column
On Fishing, and Fishermen
Stephen White of Catholic University writes for The Pillar on the choosing of a new pope. “In the coming days, a new Peter will be chosen. Like the first Peter,… Read More
Stephen's Column
Stronger Families; Stronger Priests
Stephen White reflects on a question that bishops ask about priests when we talk about burnout: Are the younger generation of priests really burned out or do they just not… Read More
Stephen's Column
Praying the Psalms through Lent
Stephen White of Catholic University writes on the discipline of Lent. “For anyone looking to structure his day around prayer – rather than being content to fit prayer within the… Read More
Stephen's Column
Leo XIII and our Populist Age
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the problems that led to the election of Trump as President, comparing them to how Pope Leo XIII was compelled write Rerum Novarum:… Read More
Stephen's Column
The Secret Lives of Nations
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States. “America is no longer young, but neither is she particularly old, at… Read More
In the News
Articles on Catholic Dating
Sara Perla, Communications Manager for The Catholic Project, was quoted in two articles recently about the Catholic dating culture. These related to the event that The Catholic Project ran at… Read More
Stephen's Column
The Vice President, Immigration, and a Way Forward
Stephen White of Catholic University writes on the American immigration system, its problems, and the new administration. “If our immigration laws have been poorly conceived, poorly written, and poorly enforced,… Read More
Stephen's Column
Stumbling Over the 1960s
Stephen White of Catholic University writes a review of a new book by Timothy S. Goeglein:  Stumbling Toward Utopia: How the 1960s Turned into a National Nightmare and How We… Read More

Collaboration Between Clergy & Laity

Over 50 years ago, Vatican II articulated the role of the laity in the Catholic Church in a document entitled Lumen Gentium. All members of the Church, not just the clergy, “contribute toward the renewal and building up of the Church.” Lumen Gentium says pastors should “willingly employ” the “prudent advice” of the lay faithful, and “confidently assign duties to them” in service to the Church. With the help of the laity, “pastors can more clearly and more incisively come to decisions regarding both spiritual and temporal matters.“

The Catholic University of America is uniquely situated to be a place where laity and clergy can come together in a spirit of mutual respect and charity to address the most challenging issues of our times. We believe, in the words of Lumen Gentium, that by drawing on the contributions of all its members, “the entire Church . . . may more effectively fulfill its mission for the life of the world.”

Our Mission

A new state of affairs today both in the Church and in social, economic, political and cultural life, calls with a particular urgency for the action of the lay faithful.
—  St. John Paul II,   Christifideles Laici, 3

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