11 - 20 of 22 Comments

1. Terry Brennan

   3 years ago

   Of my 4 children 2 lost interest in Catholicism in grade school primarily because the same theology that I had 35 years earlier was still being taught and is woefully simple minded for todays much more intelligebt and critical mind. 2 accepted Catholicism as a "guide", and participate in Liturgy but do not wish to be confirmed because the "current events" style of moral teaching is repugnent to them. They are excellent ecumenical Christians, and are living the gospel of Jeus Christ.

2. Archie Haase

   3 years ago

   I am wondering if this study overlooks the role and effect of advertising and the unbridled American free market economy has on losing traditional Euro/American Catholic values?
   Life is not all about sex and the Pope.
   
   I am guessing Catholic Universities do play a role in the problem solving American social issues. I would never give up a American Catholic university education for young people. Who does a better job then Georgetown?
   
   I am thinking there are many things US Catholic colleges do well as compared to Catholic colleges and universities in Europe or Latin America!

3. Robert

   3 years ago

   I agree the "so called" catholic colleges and universities are letting many young catholics down. However, I believe the problem begins in elementry and high school. The catholic church in America have forgotten to educate there young. "Sunday school" once a week is not enought to battle the influences and pressure that steer our children away from catholic teachings. I pray everyday that the American Bishops will make rebuilding our catholic elementary/highschools a priority.

4. Gloria

   3 years ago

   This makes you wonder who is doing the teaching at these schools? and who is choosing the teachers. I agree there should be a culture of Catholicism at all levels of Catholic schools. Why aren't the bishops out there looking at what is happening in their schools? This s distressing news.

5. MammaLisa

   3 years ago

   Catholic Higher Education is not the only Catholic education that is in trouble. This problem starts in grade school and it snowballs as the kids get older. We've got to stop tooting our own horns with regard to how wonderful our schools are and fix the problems across the board. This whole mess stems from a crisis in Church leadership and a crisis in the vocation of marriage.

6. Timothy

   3 years ago

   @Woody Guidry -- The survery results were taken before entering college as a freshman and then again junior year. The actual cara report breaks down every one of the focus questions in terms of moving toward or away from catholic teaching, and compares it to students at non-catholic institutions. It asks both for their own opion of the effects of catholic education and it gives the raw numbers in terms of how they responded. The report itself (perhaps not this article) is quite thorough.

7. Joe

   3 years ago

   This has been known for the last 30 to 40 years that Catholic education has been anything but perrfect. The fork in the road came about in the early sixties. Study why Pope Paul VI wrote "the Credo of the People of God" and John Paul II wrote Cätechesis Tradendae".
   

8. Liz

   3 years ago

   My husband recently received his Masters Degree in Theology from a "Catholic" college. We were both stunned at the liberal viewpoint by the faculty in addition to the numerous faculty positions - teaching theology - who were not Catholic!! But the priests on staff were especially distressing - extreme liberals promoting open dissent within the Church - abortion, contraception, married clergy, divorce,homosexual marriage, etc. And to think they are teaching our children in the name of God.

9. WOODY GUIDRY

   3 years ago

   Was there any survey taken immediately upon entering college, or was there in breakdown by grade level to seek a trend which might show that the education added to, took from, or kept the same attitudes? I really believe that the college level is not going to have very much to do which changing a strong or weak Catholic student. I have read the statistics you printed regarding the student's OPINION as to the effect that college had on them. That's not really solid evidence.

10. MarkV

    3 years ago

    I would suggest that the next study poll the faculty. I would bet that most of them are not Catholic or do agree with Catholic teaching. How can students learn the faith when they have such poor models!

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