Catholic universities put students off religion for life

A new study in the United States shows that Catholic students who attend Catholic colleges and universities are more likely to move away from the faith than have their faith strengthened.

The study by Georgetown's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) found that 32% of Catholic students at Catholic schools attend Mass less frequently by the time they graduate, while only 7% attend more frequently. Roughly 8% of the graduates reported leaving the Catholic faith during their college years, while students who had entered the Catholic Church during their college years accounted for only 4% of the graduates.

The survey found a strong trend away from accord with Church teachings on issues such as abortion and same-sex unions. It largely confirms previous reports from the Cardinal Newman Society calling attention to a "crisis in Catholic higher education." “Catholics should be alarmed by the significant declines in Catholic practice and fidelity at many of America’s Catholic institutions,” said Patrick Reilly, the president of The Cardinal Newman Society.

A new study in the United States shows that Catholic students who attend Catholic colleges and universities are more likely to move away from the faith than have their faith strengthened.

The study by Georgetown's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) found that 32% of Catholic students at Catholic schools attend Mass less frequently by the time they graduate, while only 7% attend more frequently. Roughly 8% of the graduates reported leaving the Catholic faith during their college years, while students who had entered the Catholic Church during their college years accounted for only 4% of the graduates.

The survey found a strong trend away from accord with Church teachings on issues such as abortion and same-sex unions. It largely confirms previous reports from the Cardinal Newman Society calling attention to a "crisis in Catholic higher education." “Catholics should be alarmed by the significant declines in Catholic practice and fidelity at many of America’s Catholic institutions,” said Patrick Reilly, the president of The Cardinal Newman Society.