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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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Podcast
Crisis: Clergy Abuse in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Project is excited to share a synopsis of their upcoming podcast: Crisis: Clergy Abuse in the Catholic Church is a podcast that tells the story of the clergy… Read More
VAC Interview
VAC Interview: Amy Cordon, Baton Rouge
This is the first interview in our new series, profiling the Victim Assistance Coordinators for Catholic dioceses around the country! This month, we interviewed Amy Cordon from the Diocese of… Read More
In the News
Our Deeper Task
Stephen White reflects on the current situation in America; a state of seeming confusion about who we are. “We need the Church now, as ever, to help remind us of… Read More
In the News
Are These Not My People?
Stephen White reflects on the current unrest and racial tensions in the U.S. in light of the Gospel and the USCCB pastoral document on racism, “Open Wide Our Hearts” “As… Read More
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

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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