Focusing on those most in need…
 
Women Religious in the U.S.

1965 - 179,954; 2008 - 59,208 

Source: Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, Georgetown University

 
 
 
 
 
The data shows that the next 13 years (through 2022) are critical for strategic planning and implementation. 
 
Sustaining the Future of Shared Ministry is a project of the Conference of Religious Leaders, funded in part by the Sisters of Charity Foundation. The effort explores collaborative strategies for congregations of women religious in the Diocese of Cleveland and includes a mapping project to track the Sisters and their ministries.

Key findings culled from surveys of 13 Northeast Ohio congregations and 751 individual, active women religious are to the right.


Our Focus Areas › Religious Communities › Religious Communities Research & Evaluation

RESEARCH & EVALUATION

In 2009, the Sisters of Charity Foundation sponsored research on the ministries of women religious by Rob Fischer, Ph.D. (below), Co-Director of the Center on Urban Poverty & Community Development at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University.
 
The research began as an inventory of women religious who might be affected by the "clustering" process that began in 2007. The Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon, Bishop of Cleveland, directed 69 clusters of parishes to consider sharing resources and propose a reduction in the number of parishes within those clusters.
 
In consideration of the many Sisters who work in parishes, schools, and outreach ministries connected to parishes, the Foundation partnered with the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland to gather the names and ministries of Sisters in parish-connected service. A survey was then sent to those Sisters to gain their perspectives on their ministries' strengths and challenges and the potential impact of the parish reconfiguration.

This is the third research project on women religious that has shaped this focus area for the Foundation since 2001.  In 2006, the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative sponsored a Mapping Project of the Conference of Religious Leaders (CORL) that obtained demographic information on all women religious in the Diocese of Cleveland. 
 
In 2001, the Saint Ann Foundation conducted research on the challenges of congregations fo women religious in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina, which led to the formation of the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative. 
 
Common challenges facing the surveyed congregations included:
  • Aging. A steady decline in the number of women religious threatens the congregations’ ability to carry on the work of their ministries.
  • Decreasing resources. Many congregations are providing needed services while transitioning the ministries to others, and looking for new ways to use individual and collective resources.
  • Critical decisions to be made. Ramifications of the choices congregations make regarding their ministries will significantly impact the populations they serve, now and in the future.

Catholic Women Religious in Northeast Ohio by Age

Under 45 15
45-54 55
55-64 262
65-74 245
75+ 157
Blank 17
Source: CORL October 2006; 751 respondents

Catholic Women Religious in Northeast Ohio by County

Ashland 0
Cuyahoga 443
Fulton 1
Geauga 83
Hamilton 2
Lake 14
Lorain 22
Mahoning 19
Medina 2
Ottawa 1
Portage 3
Stark 13
Summit 88
Trumbull 10
Wayne 2
Out of State 30
Unknown 18
Source : CORL October 2006; 751 respondents; Bold =counties in Cleveland Diocese

Catholic Women Religious in Northeast Ohio By Ministry

Education 232
Congregational Service 179
Church-related & Retreat/Spirituality 144
Healthcare & Wellness 101
Social Services & Poor 53
Ministry Other 41
TBA 1
Source: CORL October 2006; 751 respondents