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Rise and Fall of Catholic Religious Orders

A Social Movement Perspective

Inbunden, Engelska, 1994

1 379 kr

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What happens when a centuries-old religious movement begins to disappear?In this sociological study, Patricia Wittberg, S.C. confronts one of the most consequential yet understudied transformations within modern Catholicism: the dramatic rise—and startling decline—of Catholic religious orders.Drawing on historical depth and rigorous theoretical analysis, Wittberg explores religious orders as intentional communities powered by what she calls "religious virtuosity." Why did thousands dedicate their lives to these communities? What ideological frameworks sustained them? And why have those same structures weakened so dramatically in recent decades?Blending sociological theory with rich historical research, The Rise and Fall of Catholic Religious Orders:· Examines the ideological foundations of Roman Catholic religious life· Analyzes personal incentives and institutional resource mobilization· Investigates earlier cycles of growth and decline· Interprets contemporary collapse through the lens of movement theory· Situates religious orders within the broader study of intentional communitiesFar from offering a simple narrative of decline, Wittberg provides a sophisticated model for understanding how religious movements mobilize, sustain commitment, and ultimately lose cultural power. Her work opens new pathways for research into ideology, institutional change, and the dynamics of faith-based communities.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum1994-10-28
Vikt748 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieSUNY series in Religion, Culture, and Society
Antal sidor440
FörlagState University of New York Press
ISBN9780791422298

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List of Tables Preface 1. The Extent of the Problem Part One: Preliminary Definitions and Theoretical Background 2. Theories of Ideology3. Roman Catholic Religious Life Part Two: Mobilization of Religious Virtuosi 4. Personal Incentives for Membership5. Mobilization of Resources by Religious Orders6. Frame Alignment and Religious Virtuosity7. Elements of Virtuoso Ideologies8. Ideological Supports for Religious Virtuosity9. Determinants of Ideological Change Part Three: Perspectives on Movement Decay 10. Previous Decline Periods in Religious Orders11. Religious Orders as Intentional Communities Part Four: The Present Collapse 12. A Brief History of U.S. Religious Orders13. The Collapse of Ideology, I14. The Collapse of Ideology, II15. The Withdrawal of Resources16. Conclusions Glossary Appendix Notes Bibliography Name Index Subject Index

"It is a fine example of how to apply theoretical analysis to historical material in a way that sheds light on a contemporary social phenomenon. I have seen nothing in this genre with a similar respect for the complexities involved in the rise and decline of Catholic religious orders. This group—a sociological goldmine—has been largely ignored in the sociological analysis of intentional communes and communities. Wittberg's treatment is broad in scope, historically and theoretically, and should lead to further research on contemporary groups using the theoretical model presented here." — Loretta M. Morris, Loyola Marymount University"Reduction in the numbers of religious order members has blockbuster consequences for the various missions of the Catholic Church. No one has written on this topic with the commanding scholarship exhibited by the author."— Patrick McNamara, University of New Mexico