WHILE MEDIA OUTLETS
would lead you to believe that Catholicism
is on the wane among young people, a group of young Catholics at UD and
nationwide continually disprove that hypothesis.
UD’s thriving
Campus Ministry is a testament to a renewed interest and dedication to
Catholicism on campus, as it brings students together for experiences
of prayer, faith, community and servant leadership. In addition to
Campus Ministry, another campus group, Catholic Life, reflects a
growing trend nationwide known as evangelical Catholicism, a phenomenon
intently studied by William Portier, the Mary Ann Spearin Chair of
Catholic Theology and a religious studies professor.
The
movement is a group of young people who are looking to define
themselves through their Catholic identity. In the early 20th-century,
American Catholics saw their identity closely bound to their immigrant
sub-cultures. Portier believes evangelicals can help others reconnect
with the spirit of the church. “The evangelical Catholic minority is a
potential change agent on our campuses. Its members seem to have the
religious juice the majority tends to lack,” he explains. “Evangelical
Catholics have a potentially contagious joy in being Catholic.” Both
faithful and spirited, this movement, he believes, can re-energize
Catholics on campus and beyond.
