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THE CATHOLIC PROJECT

Responding to the Needs of the Church in a Time of Crisis

The Catholic Church is in crisis. Its inability to address clergy sexual abuse has caused a crisis of faith,
a breach of trust. The Catholic University of America has an opportunity, and a responsibility,
to help restore what has been broken. That is the work of The Catholic Project.

Watch Video


THE CATHOLIC PROJECT

Responding to the Needs of the Church in a Time of Crisis

The Catholic Church is in crisis. Its inability to address clergy sexual abuse has caused a crisis of faith,
a breach of trust. The Catholic University of America has an opportunity, and a responsibility, to help restore what has been broken. That is the work of The Catholic Project.

Watch Video

What We Do

The Catholic Project serves the Church as part of The Catholic University of America, so our work reflects the particular mission of our university, which is “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 seeks renewal and healing in the Church through education and formation, by deepening understanding through research, and through events, conferences, and media initiatives, which promote collaboration and genuine dialogue.

Our Work

News & Commentary

Unpacking news and information

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Analysis
Catholic Schools and the Common Good
Stephen White reflects on what is unique about Catholic schools in America. “At their best, Catholic schools teach young people to see the world in the light of the greatest… Read More
Analysis
Pope's new sex abuse rules are a revolution for the Church (America Magazine)
Kurt Martens, ordinary professor of canon law at The Catholic University of America School of Canon Law and the editor of The Jurist, explains the significance of Pope Francis’ new… Read More
In the News
U.S. bishops dialogue with abuse survivors in first-of-its-kind gathering
Katie Scott (Catholic Sentinel)- A conference in D.C. brings together clergy abuse survivors and prelates, including Cardinal Sean O’Malley, to speak frankly “as a family where there’s been dysfunction.” Read… Read More
In the News
Missouri bishop urges broader approach to help survivors, parishes heal
By Rhina Guidos (CNS)- Bishop Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City, MO participated in a national event that brought together more than 12 bishops, including him, and a small group of… Read More
In the News
Abuse conference seeks honest exchange between bishops and victims (Crux)
By Christopher White- A conference at the Catholic University of America brought together clerical sex abuse survivors and over a dozen Catholic bishops for a daylong discussion on “healing a… Read More
Analysis
Analysis: What's next for Cardinal Pell? (CNA)
By Ed Condon- This is an analysis of Cardinal Pell’s conviction of five counts of sexual abuse of minors and subsequent sentencing to six years in prison. Pell has maintained… Read More
Analysis
Archdiocese to set up reporting system for abuse by top church officials (Boston Globe)
By Michael Levenson and Martin Finucane- This article reports on Cardinal O’Malley’s move to establish a third-party reporting system for abuse allegations against bishops in the Archdiocese of Boston. He… 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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