The mission of the Marianist Lecture is:
To foster dialogue on Catholic Thought and Catholic Responsibility.
Empty Churches: Where have all the young people gone?
Sunday, October 9, 2022 | 4 PM
Mystical Rose Oratory, Chaminade University
A 2018 study by the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California found that the Catholic population has been declining in the US and Catholicism has experienced a greater net loss of people than any other religious tradition. The study also found that the majority of millennials raised Catholic typically now report that they are unaffiliated and there has been a significant drop in weekly Sunday attendance.
Fr. James L. Heft, S.M., the founding president of the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies (IACS) will explore the social phenomena of the growing number of individuals who no longer affiliate with a religious tradition, the impact non-affiliation has on society and what the future will look like for religions like Catholicism. The lecture will be about 50 minutes, followed by a Q&A session.
About the Speaker
Fr. James L. Heft, S.M., joined the Marianists in 1961 and was ordained a priest in 1973. He has been a leader in Catholic higher education for over 30 years. Fr. Heft served as chair of the Theology Department at University of Dayton for six years, Provost of the university for eight years, and then Chancellor for ten years. In 2006 he found the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California where he now serves as the Alton Brooks Professor of Religion and the Founder and President Emeritus of the Institute.
He has written and edited thirteen books and published over 175 articles and book chapters. Oxford University press listed his book, Catholic High Schools: Facing the New Realities (Oxford, 2011) as a “best seller.” His most recent book, The Future of Catholic Higher: the Open Circle, was also published in 2021.
In 2011, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities awarded him the Theodore M. Hesburgh award for his long and distinguished service to Catholic higher education. He has received five honorary doctorates.
About the Lecture Series
The Marianist Lecture is sponsored by the Marinist Center of Hawaii, Chaminade University and St. Louis School.
The lecture fosters inclusive dialogue on Catholic Thought and Catholic Responsibility, gathering at the Kalaepohaku campus in a spirit of community and with a sense of place.
The Mackey Award for Catholic Thought is given to each presenter in honor of Fr. Robert Mackey, SM, first President of Chaminade University. Fr. Mackey was an important voice in the civic and religious community of Honolulu. This lecture series seeks to continue his commitment to Catholic Thought and Catholic Responsibility in the world.
The Mackey Award for Catholic Thought honors scholarly, community and faith leaders whose body of work advances the spirit, charism and educational mission of the Society of Mary and the Marianist Family.
This event is sponsored by:
Marianist Center of Hawaii
