Who are “cultural Catholics” and how do we connect with them? Written by award-winning sociologist and professor of religion Maureen K. Day, Cultural Catholics tells the story of those who consider themselves Catholic, but infrequently attend Mass. This accessible book examines cultural Catholics on a range of topics, allowing readers to come to a better understanding of this group, and offers ministerial insights for connecting with and accompanying them on their spiritual journeys.
Cultural Catholics comprise just over half of self-identified Catholics in the United States. Typical efforts or questions of outreach come from parishes, but because most cultural Catholics are loosely tethered to parish life, the standard avenues of Catholic ministry do not reach them in any reliable way. Using a nationally representative survey of more than 1,500 American Catholics as well as insights from ministry leaders, this book allows readers to see the differences and similarities in how cultural Catholics relate to their faith compared to Catholics in the pews. It also explores cultural Catholics’ religious beliefs and practices, political and civic commitments, parish experiences, and concludes with concrete, evidence-based pastoral approaches.
From the back cover:
“Cultural Catholics is a very readable and engaging look at that half of the U.S. Catholic church on the margins or totally outside of parish life. Maureen Day digs into the subtle issues of cultural Catholics versus active Catholics with a sensitive sociological and pastoral eye. She highlights the critical question of ‘who’ mediates the Church, be it parishioners, parish staff, deacons or priests—and how those on the margins experience this mediation. Includes lots of pastoral insight and suggested actions.”
Tom Gaunt, SJ, CARA and editor of Faith and Spiritual Life of Young Adult Catholics in a Rising Hispanic Church
“For anyone who cares about the Catholic faith surviving; for anyone willing to imagine a new way of defining ‘a lived faith’; for anyone enthused by the idea that there is a new path forward for Catholic identity; this book is for you! This research and its application help all of us in church life to reframe our understanding of the role Catholic identity plays in the lives of so many, and encourages us to be innovative in how we respond to the concept of ‘cultural Catholicism’ as a positive starting point. In this light, all of us can be considered ‘cultural Catholics’ anew, and I am hopeful for the path forward.”
Nicole M. Perone, National Coordinator, ESTEEM, Chair of the Board of Members, National Institute for Ministry with Young Adults
