What the Church can do for those struggling with their Faith: A Catholic Perspective 

By James Katende – Struggles with faith are not new to the Church. From the psalms that cry out in doubt and anguish, to the apostles who fled at the crucifixion, Sacred Scripture reminds us that questioning, fear, and spiritual dryness are part of the human journey toward God.

In Catholic teaching, faith is not merely a feeling or an emotional certainty, but a lifelong response to God’s grace. For this reason, the Church has both a responsibility and an opportunity to accompany those who are struggling with their faith more intentionally, compassionately, and concretely.

Creating a Culture of Welcome and Honest Dialogue

One of the most important things the Church can do is foster an environment where doubts and struggles are not treated as failures, but as moments of growth. Many Catholics who struggle with faith feel isolated or ashamed, believing that questions about God, suffering, or Church teachings make them “bad Catholics.” However, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that faith is a gift from God that must be nourished (CCC 162). This nourishment requires patience, listening, and accompaniment.

Parishes can create safe spaces—such as faith-sharing groups, discussion forums, or pastoral counselling opportunities—where individuals are free to express doubts without fear of judgment. Priests, deacons, religious, and trained lay leaders should model listening hearts, reflecting Christ’s own approach to those who questioned Him, such as Thomas or the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Honest dialogue, rooted in charity and truth, helps struggling believers realise they are not alone.

Strengthening Catechesis for Adults, Not Only Children

The Church has historically emphasised catechesis for children and youth, particularly in preparation for the sacraments. While this is essential, many adults struggle with faith because their understanding of Catholic teaching has not matured alongside their life experiences. Questions about suffering, science, sexuality, moral teachings, or Church history often arise later in life and remain unanswered.

The Church can respond by investing more deeply in adult faith formation. This includes Bible studies, theological education, lectures, and small-group programs that explain Church teachings clearly and compassionately. Adult catechesis should not only teach *what* the Church believes, but *why*—drawing from Scripture, Tradition, and reason. When people understand the coherence and depth of Catholic teaching, their faith is often strengthened rather than diminished.

Renewing the Centrality of the Sacraments

According to Catholic teaching, the sacraments are not rewards for the perfect, but remedies for the weak. For those struggling with faith, the Church must continually point them back to the sacramental life, especially the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324), and even when faith feels fragile, Christ remains truly present.

Pastors and parish communities can emphasise that feelings of doubt do not disqualify someone from God’s grace. Encouraging regular participation in the sacraments—while providing gentle pastoral guidance—can help struggling believers encounter Christ not merely as an idea, but as a living presence. Reconciliation, in particular, can be a powerful place of healing for those burdened by guilt, anger, or disappointment with God or the Church.

Offering Pastoral Care Rooted in Compassion

Many faith struggles are deeply connected to personal suffering: grief, trauma, mental health challenges, poverty, or broken relationships. Catholic social teaching reminds us that the Church must care for the whole person—body, mind, and soul. When people feel unseen or unsupported in their pain, their faith can erode.

The Church can do more by integrating pastoral care with professional resources, such as counselling referrals, support groups, and outreach ministries. Training clergy and lay leaders to recognise mental health struggles and respond appropriately is essential. Compassionate accompaniment reflects Christ’s healing ministry and communicates that God is present even in suffering.

Witnessing Through Authentic Christian Living

Perhaps one of the most powerful ways the Church can support those struggling with faith is through authentic witness. Pope Francis frequently emphasises that people are drawn to the Church not only by doctrine, but by lived love. Hypocrisy, scandal, or lack of charity within the Church can deeply wound faith. Conversely, humility, service, and integrity can restore trust.

Parishes that actively serve the poor, welcome the marginalised, and live out the Gospel visibly provide a tangible answer to doubt. When people see faith embodied in love, sacrifice, and joy, belief becomes more credible. The Church must continually renew herself, acknowledging failures, seeking forgiveness, and recommitting to holiness.

Encouraging Spiritual Practices and Personal Prayer

Finally, the Church can guide struggling believers back to personal prayer and spiritual practices. Catholic tradition offers a rich treasury: the Rosary, lectio divina, Eucharistic adoration, the Liturgy of the Hours, and devotion to the saints. These practices do not demand perfect faith; they invite perseverance.

Spiritual direction, in particular, can be invaluable for those wrestling with doubt. Through discernment and prayerful guidance, individuals can learn to recognise God’s presence even in dryness and uncertainty. As St. John of the Cross taught, periods of darkness can be part of spiritual growth rather than signs of abandonment.

Struggling with faith does not place someone outside the Church; it places them at the very heart of her pastoral mission. Rooted in Catholic teaching, the Church is called to be both teacher and mother—proclaiming truth while extending mercy. By creating spaces for honest dialogue, strengthening adult catechesis, renewing sacramental life, offering compassionate pastoral care, witnessing through authentic love, and encouraging prayer, the Church can walk faithfully alongside those who struggle.

In doing so, she reflects Christ Himself, who meets people not where they pretend to be strong, but where they honestly need healing.