American Catholics Gender, Generation, and Commitment

by D'Antonio, William V.; Davidson, James D.; Hoge, Dean R.; Meyer, Katherine; Friend, Bishop William B.

• ISBN13: 9780759100411
• ISBN10: 0759100411
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-07-30
• Publisher: AltaMira Press

Summary

How much do American Catholics still identify with the Catholic Church? Do they agree with the Church's teachings, and how often do they participate in its sacraments? What do they think it takes to be a good Catholic? What do they consider to be the Church's core teachings? How do they believe issues of faith and morals should be decided: by the hierarchy, the laity, or some combination of the two? How are they coping with the priest shortage, and what do they believe the Church should do to solve the problem? How do they feel about social issues such as capital punishment and increased military spending? InAmerican Catholics, four distinguished sociologists use national surveys from 1999, 1993, and 1987 to examine these issues.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Bishop William B. Friend
Acknowledgments	xi
Setting the Stage: Trends and Issues in Catholicism in America	1	(18)
Our Approach to the Issues: Theory, Methods, and Significance	19	(12)
The New Catholic Identity	31	(20)
Religious Practices: Catholics' Participation in the Sacraments and Devotional Activities	51	(18)
Moral Authority and Sexuality	69	(18)
Catholics and the Church's Social Teachings	87	(14)
Priest Shortages and Accommodations in Ministry	101	(12)
Participation, Democracy, and Decision Making	113	(14)
Summary and Implications	127	(24)
Appendixes	151	(12)
References	163	(8)
Index	171	(6)
About the Authors	177