Tue., April 19
Catholics Come Home

The PEW Forum on Religious and Public Life had some bad news for the Catholic Church: Catholicism has lost the most members to other religious affiliations. While nearly one in three Americans were raised in the Catholic faith, today fewer than one in four describe themselves as Catholic. One organization is trying to do something about this: Catholics Come Home. Founded in the late 90’s, it made its Boston debut this year-- coupling an ad campaign with outreach from local parishes.

But how many will tread the big welcome mat the Archdiocese has rolled out? With the clergy sex abuse crisis and with parishes being closed down, is there a place to come home to? And who exactly is being invited home? This hour, we’ll look at the state of Catholicism. We’ll be joined by Nancy Ammerman, Professor of the Sociology of Religion at Boston University School of Theology, Maryellen and John Rogers, spokespeople for St. Frances X. Cabrini parish in Scituate, And Tom Peterson, founder and President of Catholics Come Home.