When I read about the lack of faith and morals in our young people, I realize how much work it involves raising a Catholic Family in today's culture. One thing that drives me crazy is that it's hard to see differences between Catholic schools, either elementary, high school or college, and public schools. Some are successful, but others are failing. Just check out these results from The Cardinal Newman Society’s (CNS) Center for the Study of Catholic Higher Education latest study...
Key findings demonstrate that large numbers of students at Catholic colleges and universities are in clear conflict with the Catholic Church:
- Nearly 1 in 5 knew another student who had or paid for an abortion.
- 46% of current and recent students—and 50% of females—said they engaged in sex outside of marriage.
- 84% said they had friends who engaged in premarital sex.
- 60% agreed strongly or somewhat that abortion should be legal.
- 60% agreed strongly or somewhat that premarital sex is not a sin.
- 78% disagreed strongly or somewhat that using a condom to prevent pregnancy was a serious sin.
- 57% agreed strongly or somewhat that same-sex “marriage” should be legal.
- 57% said the experience of attending a Catholic college or university had no effect on their participation in Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation.
- 54% of respondents said that their experience of attending a Catholic college or university had no effect on their support for the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- 56% said their experience had no effect on their respect for the Pope and bishops.In April 2008 Pope Benedict XVI, recognizing the reality on many Catholic campuses, told Catholic college presidents gathered at The Catholic University of America that the Catholic faith must permeate all aspects of Catholic campus life.
“Is the faith tangible in our universities and schools?” the Holy Father asked the college presidents. “Only in this way do we really bear witness to the meaning of who we are and what we uphold. From this perspective one can recognize that the contemporary ‘crisis of truth’ is rooted in a ‘crisis of faith’.”
I'm just glad my kids aren't college age yet, as I have no idea where I would be happy seeing them go if they attend college. I understand it's very difficult to eliminate all of this, especially in today's "Culture of Death", but these numbers make me sick.
Read the full article Study Finds Catholic Colleges Have Little Positive Impact on Faith, Values at LifeSiteNews.com
Also see the complete study at CatholicHigherEd.org.
