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THE CATHOLIC PROJECT

Clergy and Laity Together

An initiative from The Catholic University of America 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
Wonder of Wonders
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the experience and practice of wonder. “Such wonder, the unaffected wonder of a child who marvels at the world and the one who… Read More
Stephen's Column
Imagining the Future
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on Yuval Levin’s essay, “Imagining the Future,” and applies its insights to the Church. “The point is not that innovation – or development of… Read More
Sara's column
The Tapestry
One of the analogies that I find helpful in looking at the world and trying to believe in God’s providence is that of a tapestry, in which one side is… Read More
Stephen's Column
No Politics is Local Now
Stephen White of Catholic University writes about Neil Postman’s classic Amusing Ourselves to Death in view of social media and smartphones. “It is not hard to find all this same… Read More
Dating
Catholic women discuss the challenges of modern dating culture
Sara Perla appeared on EWTN News In-Depth last week to speak about the challenges of dating as a Catholic today.   Here is the full clip, and there is an… Read More
Stephen's Column
Someone to Dance with
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on the conversation surrounding birth rates and the effects of a poor dating scene for Catholics: “Today’s breakdown in Catholic dating and marriage among… Read More
Stephen's Column
A Eucharistic Triumph in Indianapolis
Stephen White of Catholic University reflects on his experience at the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024: “That was the triumph of Indianapolis. The People of God gathered to meet… Read More
Stephen's Column
Changing the Narrative
Stephen P. White of Catholic University reflects on the response of Paolo Riffini to journalists at the Catholic Media Association Conference 2024 who asked why the Vatican Dicastery on Communications… 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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