Listening to Those Who Have Left the Church

HOLLISTON, Mass. - March 7, 2022 - PRLog -- In 2020 Rev. Carl Chudy, SX, D.Min., a Xaverian Missionary, began local research to understand the experience of Catholic families with disaffiliated family members. He listened to intergenerational stories of departure from church practice and the exploration of multiple ways of understanding spirituality, meaning, and belonging within and beyond the institutional church. This project is meant as a bridge of dialogue in the changing religious landscape in which we live.

Pope Francis convened the Synod as an opportunity to consult and dialogue with those within and outside of the church as we all move forward together in this 21st century.
Fr. Chudy concentrated on Catholic Disaffiliation in the Archdiocese of Boston from June 2020 – March 2021, entitled, POSTSECULAR CATHOLICISM: TOWARD RENEWED UNDERSTANDING OF CATHOLIC FAMILIES WITH DISAFFILIATED FAMILY MEMBERS.

The first part includes the multilayered context of Catholic Disaffiliation in the Archdiocese of Boston, the theological background to Disaffiliation, and a survey of other studies in this area.

Part two includes the study proper with a report of the interviews of Catholic parents and grandparents whose children no longer practice the faith, along with the themes derived from the interviews.

Part three is the report of the younger generation of Catholics who left the practice of their faith.

Part four brings both generations into dialogue with some conclusions based on the study. Finally, the chapter examines the implications for parishes and families that this study could lead. A bibliography is also included for further reading.

The Vatican has recognized Fr. Carl's efforts and has included his work as a resource on the Synod website.

Those who have left the Catholic Church, or their family members are encouraged to participate.

Fr. Carl's research and questionnaire can be found at https://xaverianmissionaries.org/catholic.disaffiliation/

The Synod's website is  https://www.synodresources.org/resource_post/242021/