A distinct majority of those who pray (87%) said they believed they’d received an answer to their prayers in the last 12 months.

Archbishop Robert F. Prevost, who took the helm at the Dicastery for Bishops in mid-April, said because a bishop is called to serve an entire diocese, not just the priests, “listening to the people of God is also important.”

Too many disagreements cloud the profound and real communion shared among Christians. By literally coming together and meeting face-to-face, church leaders can demonstrate a better way.

Weddings historically had served as an opportunity to “evangelize and re-engage” young couples, but that chance was being lost when brides and grooms bypass the church altogether when planning their ceremony.

While the Diocese of Providence flies relatively under the radar, it gained national attention in recent years in part because of the outspokenness of its outgoing bishop, Thomas Tobin.

“She would be happy about having a ferry named after her,” said Robert Steed, a former Catholic Worker and editor of The Catholic Worker newspaper, adding, “maybe even more so than being canonized.”