Special Report: Can Catholic Universities Stay Catholic?

Can Catholic Universities Stay Catholic? Catholic colleges and universities once stood at the heart of Catholic intellectual life, but in an RNS special report on the mission and identity of Catholic schools, educators said financial pressures, shrinking theology programs and declining faith have left their institutions at a crossroads. Can these mainstays of the faith stay true to their Catholic roots as their campuses grow more religiously diverse—and is that identity still vital to their survival? Our investigation resulted in the half dozen stories linked below, and was capped by a virtual roundtable featuring Heidi Schlumpf, St. Thomas University President Robert K. Vischer, Trinity Washington University President Patricia McGuire, and moderated by as Religion News Service Editor-in-Chief Paul O’Donnell.

When Catholic colleges cut theology majors, what happens to Catholic identity? Just 63% of Catholic higher education institutions have theology or religious studies departments, down from 69% in 2016. Keep reading → Catholic universities search for tricky balance on Trump anti-DEI push Many Catholic university leaders are trying to thread the needle between staying under the Trump administration’s radar and framing their work with marginalized students as grounded in their Catholic identities. Keep reading → Conservative Catholic colleges growing as families opt for ‘faithful’ schools Several ‘trad Catholic’ schools have shown surprising financial strength in a time when other small colleges are struggling. Keep reading → Latinos are underrepresented in Catholic higher ed. These schools are trying to change that. Latinos’ absence on Catholic campuses, experts say, impacts their representation in church leadership as well as among influential Catholics in secular society. Keep reading → Celebrating its first century, Xavier University of Louisiana perseveres as Catholic HBCU ‘Being rooted in faith is what leads us to be resilient,’ said the president of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament on Xavier’s Founder’s Day. Keep reading → At Catholic colleges, Latino students increasingly find a place that feels like home Campus ministers at Catholic colleges are making efforts to give Latino students a feeling of belonging. Keep reading → What Makes a Catholic University Catholic? Religion News Service Editor-in-Chief Paul O’Donnell was joined in conversation on Dec. 4 with Heidi Schlumpf, Robert K. Vischer, Patricia McGuire, and Amy Uelmen as they discussed the future of Catholic higher education in an increasingly pluralistic America. Watch now

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