Jesus calls us to a communion deeper than any differences.
But today, our distrust and divisions make it difficult to connect online with kindness, sit at the same table, or invite others into our communities.
This is bigger than any one issue.
It is a spiritual challenge calling for a spiritual response-from each of us.
To heal the sin of toxic polarization in the US Catholic Church so the Church can be a more joyful witness of the Gospel in our divided country.
Polarization = “division into sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.”
Differences are healthy. Toxic polarization occurs when our differences harden into divisions that breed distrust and hostility.
The journey toward communion touches every part of who we are — how we think, how we pray, and how we act. Our resources and formation experiences are organized around three interconnected dimensions:
Deep communion begins with clarity. We offer formation that helps individuals and communities grow in:
These resources help Catholics recognize the forces shaping our divisions and rediscover the Church’s vision for unity.
Communion requires more than information — it requires transformation. Our Heart-centered resources nurture:
Here, participants learn to pray, reflect, and see others with the heart of Christ.
Healing division happens through action. Our Hands-focused resources equip communities to:
These tools help Catholics live communion through real encounters with real people.
Explore up to date content, articles, blog posts, videos, podcasts and more from the Communion Project and our partners.
When we gather around the table — and ultimately around the altar — we rediscover that we belong to one another before we disagree with one another. Hospitality, rooted in Eucharistic charity, becomes a powerful antidote to the divisions that threaten to fracture our communion.
Timothy R. Busch
Co-Founder & Chairman, Napa Institute
Few things are more important today in the Catholic Church in the United States than overcoming the division and polarization that sometimes takes root among Catholics. This bold, thoughtful and faithful project will help the church towards Jesus’s goal that we all “may be one.”
Fr. James Martin, SJ
Jesuit priest, America Media
Our Paulist charism is to proclaim Christ in ways that engage the American culture, build unity, and invite ALL people to a deeper communion with the Church, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. At a time of disunity and grave disrespect to the dignity of every person in our American context, the Communion Project provides a creative and pastoral response that desires to see the Church in the US as a prophetic sign of unity and communion.
Very Rev. René Constanza, CSP
President, Paulist Fathers
The heart of salvation is communion: human beings across cultures, ages, and differences united together, loving each other, and loving God. The Communion Project truly assists the Church in bringing salvation to the world, that all might have the fullness of life. I am blessed to be part of this Project!
Fr. Aaron Wessman
Vicar General, Glenmary Home Missioners
We are living in a time in which people hesitate to engage in meaningful conversation for fear of being misunderstood, or insulted or rejected. We distrust that a unity in diversity is even possible. The potential of the Catholic Project to help groups and communities experience the power of a dialogue that builds community repesents a springtime of the Spirit for the whole of the Church.
Susan Timoney, STD
Associate Professor of Practice, Pastoral Theology, Associate Dean of Graduate Ministerial Studies, The Catholic University of America
Communion is central to who we are as Catholics. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. Our coming together at the Lord’s table should inspire us to be united and to serve each other and the broader world with a spirit of charity. There are so many divisions in our church right now, and I think we need to remember that the love we have been shown by Jesus calls us to share that love with each other. Our country – and our world – need this witness now more than ever.
Chris Crawford
Senior Director of Civic Strategies, Interfaith America
