“Hotels Are the New Churches?”: A Bold American Idea Indian Catholics Could Steal

May 11, 2025

In a world where religious fervour is steadily declining—especially among the youth—one initiative in the United States offers a refreshing example of how the simple act of hospitality can serve as a powerful ministry, rekindling the faith of Catholics who have drifted away from the Church. It’s called the Clergy Hospitality Program, and it’s proving that hotels can do more than provide accommodation—they can offer sanctuary, healing, and the presence of Christ.

Launched by California-based PHG Hotels and supported by its Catholic founder, Tim Busch, this unique initiative offers complimentary stays to Catholic priests, who, in return, celebrate daily Mass in the hotels' chapels. The aim of the initiative concept is both practical and meaningful: to provide priests with a peaceful environment to rest and rejuvenate, while also giving hotel guests—whether devout Catholics or spiritual seekers—direct access to the Eucharist, prayer, and spiritual counsel, even while on vacation.

Replicating the Model in India

The Catholic Church in India today faces the modern challenge of internal spiritual drift. Rising household incomes, along with long working hours, have led to people, particularly the youth, prioritising their careers and leisure and relegating their spiritual lives to the bottom of their priorities. This shift is evident in declining Mass attendance and a general disengagement from religious practices. The question is no longer whether the Church in India needs renewal—it’s how that renewal can be nurtured.

What if Catholic parishes, dioceses, Catholic entrepreneurs, and lay Catholic movements across India embraced a vision similar to the Clergy Hospitality model? Could a network of simple, sacred spaces embedded in everyday environments (guest houses, farmstays, or even urban hotels) become touchpoints for spiritual renewal across the country?

Creating a Culture of Encounter

During an interview with ChurchPOP, Timothy Busch, founder and chief executive officer of PHG Hotels, noted that many guests "wander into chapels at his hotels just to sit but end up staying to pray or even attend a Mass.” Others, in grief or confusion, find unexpected solace in a priest’s presence. 

Imagine this replicated in India’s pilgrimage sites like Velankanni or Goa, or even in bustling metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru, or Delhi. A weary traveller steps into a chapel located in the lobby of a hotel, immediately enveloped by silence, soft light, and the gentle aroma of incense. A priest, clad in his alb, is quietly preparing for Mass. There's no fanfare, no grand pronouncements—just a profound sense of presence, as if Christ himself is patiently waiting.

Such places would be a balm not only for the faithful but also for those who have drifted away from the Church.

Supporting Priests in Their Vocation

Equally important is the Clergy Hospitality programme’s focus on the welfare of priests. In India, many priests serve tirelessly in remote, under-resourced areas with limited access to rest or community support. If dioceses and Catholic institutions in India could offer similar short-term sabbaticals for clergy, hosted by hotels, resorts, or partner organisations, it would not only prevent burnout among priests but would also remind them that their well-being matters to the community they serve.

Conclusion

The Clergy Hospitality Program may have started in the United States, but its spirit is universal and perhaps especially urgent in India today amid a huge decline in faith among the youth. Catholic business owners, hoteliers, and professionals in India can take inspiration from Tim Busch’s example. Integrating chapels into hotels or offering discounted stays to priests can turn a commercial venture into a spiritual ministry.

India’s Catholics have always been resilient, creative, and community-oriented. What better time than now to come together—clergy, laity, and entrepreneurs—and reimagine how everyday hospitality can renew the faith of a nation?

For inspiration or collaboration, visit ClergyHospitality.org or reflect on how your own parish or community might become a wellspring of healing and hope for priests and people alike.

By Catholic Connect Reporter