Get everything you need for your traditional home blessing — including the St. Benedict Medal, Holy Water Bottle, and more — from our friends at Holy Heroes today! https://bit.ly/TheDeep_HolyHeroesHB In this episode of The Deep, Erika breaks down the recent study from the Catholic Project that shows a consistent shift among younger priests towards more conservative and traditional views. What do the numbers actually show? And does this shift reveal a hopeful future for the church? Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: A major shift among young priests 1:57 - Priest numbers decreased but something else changed too 4:05 - Difference in political and theological views 6:30 - Difference in pastoral priorities 7:40 - Though a bit behind, the laity is also changing 10:01 - Two real challenges for young priests 13:44 - Conclusion: what does this mean for the rest of us? Subscribe to the LOOPcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theLOOPcast Sources: Associated Press. “‘A Step Back in Time’: America’s Catholic Church Sees an Immense Shift Toward the Old Ways.” Associated Press, May 1, 2024. Accessed November 4, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487. Catholic Project. NSCP Wave 2 Final Report. October 2025. Accessed November 4, 2025. https://catholicproject.catholic.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NSCPWave2FINAL.pdf. Catholic Vote. McKenna Snow, “Looking at Pew Numbers: ‘Baby Boomer’ Catholics Have More Liberal Views Than Millennials.” CatholicVote.org, April 19, 2024. Accessed November 4, 2025. https://catholicvote.org/baby-boomer-catholics-have-more-liberal-views-than-millennials/. Florida Atlantic University News Desk. Gisele Galoustian, “The ‘Taboo’ of Retirement for Catholic Priests.” Florida Atlantic University News Desk, July 7, 2016. Accessed November 4, 2025. https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/Catholic-Priests-Retirement. Georgetown University. Mary Gautier et al., “Average Priest Age Now Nearly 20 Years Older Than 1970.” Georgetown University News, June 1, 2012. Accessed November 4, 2025. https://www.georgetown.edu/news/average-priest-age-now-nearly-20-years-older-than-1970/#:~:text=Average%20Priest%20Age%20Now%20Nearly,studies%20about%20the%20Catholic%20Church. National Catholic Register. “The Return of Altar Rails.” National Catholic Register, n.d. Accessed November 4, 2025. https://www.ncregister.com/features/the-return-of-altar-rails. National Catholic Reporter. “While Out of Sync: Lay Catholics Conservative, Young Priests Are Future U.S. Church.” National Catholic Reporter, n.d. Accessed November 4, 2025. https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/while-out-sync-lay-catholics-conservative-young-priests-are-future-us-church. The Catholic Herald. “Bishop Bans Use of Altar Rail at Charlotte Catholic High School.” The Catholic Herald, n.d. Accessed November 4, 2025. https://www.catholicherald.com/article/bishop-bans-use-of-altar-rail-at-charlotte-catholic-high-school.
