The State of Catholic Digital Ministry in 2025

Dec. 15, 2025 by

Katie Clark

Bridging the Gap Between Mission and Modern Tools

If you work in Catholic ministry, you know the feeling: The digital age has reshaped nearly every part of our lives, yet digital ministry often feels like a burden. It’s another inbox to check, another platform to learn, and another task pulling you away from in-person ministry.

If you feel overwhelmed, you are not alone.

At eCatholic, we recently conducted an exclusive survey, The State of Catholic Digital Ministry, gathering insights from nearly 500 parishes, schools, and dioceses across the United States. The results were eye-opening. They revealed a Church that is faithful and hardworking, but often equipped with 20th-century tools to meet 21st-century expectations.

Here is a look at the key findings from the report and how Catholic leaders can move from feeling overwhelmed to equipped and mission-driven.

What is "Digital Ministry"?

Before diving into the data, let’s clarify what "digital ministry" really means. In a world of influencers, it is easy to feel the pressure to become a viral sensation—but that is not always the calling.

We like to think of digital ministry as utilizing your available tools (a website, email and texting, social media, or live streaming, to name a few) to the best of your ability to provide an encounter. 

To help people encounter God and to attract them to a real, in-person encounter with your community. In fact, the survey found that the number one digital priority for parishes is increasing in-person Mass and event attendance.

Defining the "Digital Engagement Gap"

With that concept in mind, the most significant takeaway from our research is the existence of what we call the Digital Engagement Gap. This is the disconnect between intention (knowing that digital work and ministry are important) and execution (having the resources to do it well).

Our data indicates that Catholic leaders clearly understand their mission. A strong majority (77%) view digital engagement as "important" or "very important" for the future of the Church. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story:

• 86% of Catholic organizations feel unprepared for digital engagement or do not feel qualified to lead it.
• Only 21% have defined roles for digital ministry.

This gap isn’t caused by a lack of effort. It stems from aging systems and overextended staff trying to manage a complex and rapidly changing digital landscape with dwindling support.

The Problem with the "Fragmented Technology Stack"

One of the primary drivers of this stress is the tools themselves. While 99% of respondents have a website and 91% offer online giving, only 60% of respondents use a group email and texting tool. Additionally, many organizations reported operating with a "disconnected pile" of software rather than a cohesive system. 

• Only 7% of those surveyed reported having fully integrated systems.

Additionally, the biggest frustration with digital communication was cited as “managing multiple platforms.”

When your website doesn’t talk to your email tools, and your ChMS doesn't sync with your donor database, you end up doing manual data entry—copying and pasting information between platforms. This fragmentation drains your most valuable resource: time. In fact, "not enough time" was cited as the number one obstacle to achieving digital goals.

Bright Spots: Stewardship and Strategy

Despite the challenges, the survey revealed an incredible level of hope and resilience. Leaders are seeing real fruit when they lean into digital tools.

One of the most practical insights from the survey involved stewardship. While most parishes offer online giving, those who use their digital channels to communicate the impact of those gifts see a massive difference. Parishes that publicly communicate the impact of giving through digital channels reported four times the total offertory of those that do not offer any online giving at all.

This proves that digital engagement isn't just about "posting content"; it is about connecting the faithful to the mission in a transparent, beautiful way.

How to Close the Gap

So, how do we close the gap? The report suggests that progress doesn't come from working harder, but from focusing on three core pillars: Clarity, Capacity, and Confidence.

1

Establish Clarity (Ownership)

When no one owns digital ministry, it falls through the cracks. You don't necessarily need to hire a new full-time communications director, but you do need to designate a point person. Organizations that assigned clear ownership reported steadier progress and better accountability and follow-through.

2

Build Capacity (Tools and Training)

Capacity isn’t just about having more hours in the day; it is about having adequate tools and the training to use them. When you have a plan and simplify your “tech stack” you reclaim time in your day and gain the ability to perform better.

Leaders who consolidated their tools—using a connected platform for websites, payments, and communication—reported simpler workflows and stronger collaboration. The survey also found that investing in small, ongoing training, like short videos or peer webinars, can drastically build this capacity.

At eCatholic, this is our passion. We empower organizations with a connected platform designed to help you inspire and grow your community, letting you focus on ministry while we handle the technology.

3

Grow Confidence (Trust)

Confidence is ultimately about trust; trust in your systems and in the people running them. Without this confidence, the potential for burnout increases exponentially, often leading to unfinished projects, broken workflows, and compounding hesitation. When you trust your tools and your team and make investments for them to succeed, you unlock the ability to adapt and improve over time, moving your parish from "survival mode" to sustainable growth.

Moving Forward with Hope

The digital continent is a mission field, and the Church is called to be there. While the data shows we have work to do, it also shows that Catholic leaders are ready to grow.

By simplifying our tools and clarifying our goals, we can close the engagement gap. We can move from reactive maintenance to mission-driven ministry, reaching more souls with the beauty of the Gospel.