Menu


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.

Watch Video

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

Read Now

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

View All
Stephen's Column
Synodal Endgame?
Stephen P. White of Catholic University writes in The Pillar about synodality in light of the election of Pope Leo XIV. “In a recent study from the Pew Research Center,… Read More
Stephen's Column
Is the Traditional Latin Mass Booming?
Stephen P. White of Catholic University looks at the recent report from the Pew Research Center on Catholic life in the U.S. “While Catholics may be a minority here, the… Read More
Events
What Do We Owe Each Other?
Recently, clergy and religious came together for a conference on the Jubilee of Hope, sponsored by the Office of Diocesan Engagement at the Catholic University of America. TCP’s Executive Director,… Read More
Stephen's Column
What the Ascension Means
Stephen P. White of Catholic University reflects on the feast of the Ascension: “The Ascension of ‘one who shares our nature’ to the throne of glory ought to remind us… Read More
Stephen's Column
Evangelization in an age of Doom Scrolling
Stephen White reflects on the effects of social media and smartphones in ecclesial culture: “For one, having constant access to the latest Roman scuttlebutt or curial gossip tends to draw… Read More
Stephen's Column
An American Pope at an American Moment
Stephen P. White of Catholic University reflects on our new American pope, Pope Leo XIV. “Is the tide turning? God knows. But at this moment in the life of the… Read More
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

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

Join Our Newsletter

Stay informed on upcoming events, news, and resources.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.