how can we fix our Catholic schools and universities?

everyone knows whenever you heard I went to Catholic school. You’re going to hear one of the worst hot takes in history or something flat-out heretical. Even though I can’t post a picture of it there is an ad that the Newman has all around with someone that is clearly a far left. Member holding up a sign saying I went to Catholic school. And this is so common you don’t exactly see people that were Catholic homeschooled say the same thing .

A lot of schools still market themselves as “Catholic,” but in practice the faith often feels like an afterthought. Theology departments openly challenge core Church teachings, speakers who dissent from Catholic doctrine are welcomed without hesitation, and campus life frequently looks no different than a secular school or university. when I was in high school I never had a good religion teacher all of them were terrible at their and almost took it like a joke. Hookup culture, heavy partying, and an atmosphere where practicing the faith seriously can feel isolating are far more common than they should be at institutions that claim to form students intellectually and spiritually. University of Notre Dame and the Jesuit schoold are a perfect example.

Another issue is leadership. Many administrators seem more concerned with prestige, rankings, and donor approval than with fidelity to the Church. When Catholic students raise concerns about speakers who oppose Church teaching or about policies that contradict Catholic moral theology, it often feels like those concerns are ignored. The result is that schools founded to form saints and scholars sometimes end up producing graduates who barely understand their own faith.

I think part of the problem is that many universities have drifted away from what the Church actually asks of Catholic institutions. Documents like Ex Corde Ecclesiae are supposed to guide Catholic higher education, but at many schools they’re treated more like suggestions than obligations.

That being said, I don’t think the situation is hopeless. There are real solutions.

First, Catholic universities need leadership that takes their Catholic identity seriously. Presidents, trustees, and faculty should actually believe and teach what the Church teaches. Academic freedom is important, but a Catholic university should still be authentically Catholic.

Second, campus culture matters. Strong campus ministries, frequent Mass and confession, Eucharistic adoration, and visible support for Catholic student life can change the atmosphere of a school dramatically.

Third, hiring matters. If a university wants to remain Catholic, it needs professors who respect and support the mission of the Church. Students shouldn’t graduate from a Catholic university more confused about their faith than when they arrived.

Finally, students and alumni have to care. If Catholics keep sending their kids to schools that don’t take their faith seriously without raising concerns, there’s very little incentive for those institutions to change.

Catholic universities should be places where faith and reason work together — where students grow intellectually and spiritually. Historically, the Church built some of the greatest universities in the world. There’s no reason Catholic higher education today can’t live up to that tradition again if people are willing to take the mission seriously.

Curious what others think — are Catholic universities losing their identity, or am I being too pessimistic? And what do you think would actually fix the problem