American Catholics have by and large remained loyal to the core teachings and sacraments of their faith, but increasingly tune out the hierarchy on issues of sexual morality, according to a new study released Oct. 24.

Author, historian and British peer John Julius Norwich has never displayed any lack of drive and energy, but even by his standards, “The Popes: A History” (also published as “Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy”) is ambitious in the extreme.

In May 2011, 75 clergy and laity interested in how the church is evolving met at Stony Point Conference Center for three days of worship, fellowship and exploration. Then Unconference participants met in smaller groups to discuss how they might be of service to the greater church.   

Sixty-seven-year-old grandmother Abbie Watters joined a group that was focused on using social media to “expand and enrich” current programs in the church. “I Facebook and blog regularly and actually have a few older women following me,” said Watters. As a longtime member of Presbyterian Women, she wrote about her experience in Horizons Magazine. “I wanted to open up this possibility of social networking and conversation to a broader section of older people, to connect them with younger people.”