The event will bring together more than 100 Catholic leaders, academics, media experts, and Paulist representatives from diverse perspectives. Bound by mutual concern we will share stories, listen openly, and respond to the current climate of polarization in both our nation and our Church.

While the Initiative welcomes input from anyone willing to share their thoughts or experiences, capacity restrictions limit this event only to invited guests.

The Paulist Initiative on Polarization emerged from the 2022 Paulist General Assembly with a specific goal in mind. It aims to effectively address and respond to the toxic polarization in our society, which hinders our ability to promote, practice, and achieve spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. This impacts our local, diocesan, and national communities as well as the Church’s missionary endeavors.

As a first order crisis, polarization creates barriers for respecting differences and, as a result, impairs any process for constructive dialogue in current civic and moral issues, including abortion, climate change, immigration, gender and sexuality, gun control, racism, and secularization.

In order to effectively address polarization, the initiative needs (1) to form alliances and (2) sustain its efforts. 

Forming Alliances: first, given the complex dynamics that contribute to the present state of polarization, no single organization or social institution alone is capable of slowing down this trajectory. For this reason, the formation of alliances across institutional and ideological boundaries, both at local and national levels, is critical.

Sustaining the Process: second, because polarization has been building up over the past 60+ years, it is not likely to decrease sharply any time soon. For this reason, efforts to effectively respond to its toxicity need to be sustained by remaining relevant and vibrant beyond any one time gathering.

Process and Goal: Connected to the twin goals of creating alliances and sustaining our efforts, the 2024 Summit (April 19-21, 2024) will serve as the physical inauguration of the Initiative. It will involve a process of gathering 100+ leaders, experts, and Paulist representatives to pray, share stories and insights, listen to one another, and learn from the collective wisdom that emerges, with the goal of forming alliances and seeing if there is any desire to sustain our efforts beyond 2024. 

It is our desire that the Summit will inspire individuals and groups to recognize how their current activities and ministries can contribute to reducing polarization within our Church and across the country. We hope that all Summit participants leave with both the motivation and concrete ideas to purposefully address polarization. This includes addressing it within their respective work, ministries, organizations, academic institutions, and parish-based or campus ministry communities.

There will be two distinct groups of over 100 invited participants for the event. Approximately half of the attendees will be leaders, academics, and media experts who are actively involved in efforts to reduce polarization. They will bring expertise in various fields such as reconciliation, race relations, intercultural communication, mediation, consensus building, and pastoral ministry. The remaining 50% of the participants will consist of members from the Paulist priests, seminarians, associates, and deacons. All 100+ participants will be selected from a wide range of backgrounds, including ecclesial, academic, and media spheres, and will represent diverse demographic backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, social class/income, gender, age, and more. 

The Landscape of Polarization: To understand the extent of polarization in the country and the U.S. Catholic Church, and the impact of polarization on our spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.

Foster Conversations and Dialogue: To invite Catholic leaders, media experts, and Paulist representatives to share their experiences and insights, discovering shared Catholic values despite political differences. The conversations will take place among participants from a diverse array of backgrounds and affiliations, including specific affinity groups such as clergy, lay ministries, academics, media experts, and so on.

Our Tradition, Teachings, and Scripture: To explore our Catholic tradition, teachings, and scriptural heritage that emphasize reconciliation, unity, and peace.

Best Practices: To showcase examples of Catholic leaders, dioceses, parishes, organizations, and other movements that successfully promote healing and reconciliation.

Pastoral Resources and Tools: To facilitate collaborative brainstorming sessions to generate ideas for pastoral resources and tools.