Autonomy and Democracy in an Autocratic Organization: The Case of the Roman Catholic Church

This article examines data from surveys, historical records, position papers, minutes of group meetings, and other sources to shed light on the ways the laity of the Roman Catholic church in the United States are bringing about change, often in spite of the hierarchy and Vatican bureaucracy. A range...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: D'Antonio, William V. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: Oxford Univ. Press 1994
In: Sociology of religion
Year: 1994, Volume: 55, Issue: 4, Pages: 379-396
Online Access: Volltext (JSTOR)
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Description
Summary:This article examines data from surveys, historical records, position papers, minutes of group meetings, and other sources to shed light on the ways the laity of the Roman Catholic church in the United States are bringing about change, often in spite of the hierarchy and Vatican bureaucracy. A range of traditional teachings and policies focusing on sexuality, marriage, the priesthood, the locus of authority, and participation in decision making within church organizations, are examined in the light of Gallup surveys carried out nationally in 1987 and 1993. These data plus the qualitative data indicate the existence of a pluralism that pits the magisterium (teaching authority located in the Vatican) and most of the American bishops on one side and a growing majority of laity on the other. This pluralism raises questions about the possibilities for organizational change within the Church in America.
ISSN:1759-8818
Contains:Enthalten in: Sociology of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.2307/3711978