They Call Him Pastor : Married Men in Charge of Catholic Parishes

by Wallace, Ruth A.

• ISBN13: 9780809141715
• ISBN10: 080914171X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-09-01
• Publisher: Paulist Pr

Summary

A vital resource for parish life in the U.S. They Call Him Pastor focuses on twenty parishes, located in all four census regions of the United States, that are administered by married men (ten deacons and ten laymen). In each parish the author conducted individual interviews with these men, their wives, their children, the sacramental minister (priest), the bishop, and a representative group of parishioners. The research reveals that these new parish leaders tended to practice collaborative leadership, and that their marital status was a key factor for their parishioners' acceptance of and cooperation with them. The wives, most of whom worked outside the home, were mature, well educated, and enthusiastic supporters of the role played by their husbands. Children helped their father "break the ice." Parishioners, inspired by a new sense of ownership, devoted A key source of support for these married leaders was their formal installation in the parish church with the bishop as presider.

Author Biography

Ruth A. Wallace is currently professor emeritus of George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD	1	(4)
PREFACE	5	(2)
1. INTRODUCTION	7	(27)
Church Law and Key Terms	1	(8)
Previous Research on Alternate Parish Leadership	9	(5)
Necessary Information	14	(1)
Insights from Sociological Theory	15	(2)
Data Collection Procedures	17	(17)
2. PARISH LEADERSHIP: DEACON AND LAY COMPARISONS	34	(48)
Characteristics of the Twenty Married Men	34	(5)
Deacons: Constraints and Opportunities	39	(11)
Lay Leaders: Constraints an Opportunities	50	(11)
Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Issues	61	(1)
Collaborative Leadership: Deacons	61	(13)
Collaborative Leadership: Laymen	74	(7)
Summary	81	(1)
3. THE PASTOR'S WIFE: "THERE WASN'T A ROLE MODEL"	82	(28)
A Profile of the Twenty Wives	83	(3)
Expectations and Early Experiences: The Visibility Factor	86	(6)
The Invisibility Factor	92	(3)
Roles for Pastors' Wives	95	(4)
Financial and Health Issues	99	(5)
Support Groups: "There Go My Friends"	104	(2)
Views about the Future: "He's Found His Niche"	106	(2)
Summary	108	(2)
4. THE PASTOR'S CHILDREN: "BUT I'M ONLY A KID!"	110	(30)
Moving to a New Location	111	(3)
The Rectory as Home	114	(5)
The Role of a Catholic "Pastor's Kid": "People Watching Me"	119	(3)
Kids as Parishioners	122	(4)
Having Your Dad as the Pastor	126	(4)
Kids Who Were "Deviant"	130	(4)
Kids at Work: "Helping Dad Out"	134	(4)
Summary	138	(2)
5. PARISHIONERS: COMMUNITY BUILDING	140	(29)
The Meaning and Mission of a Parish	140	(4)
Strategies for Building a Parish Community	144	(3)
Location and Size of Parishes	147	(4)
Outreach to the Larger Community	151	(2)
Ownership and Participation: "A Beehive of Activity"	153	(9)
Parish Liturgies and Other Celebrations	162	(4)
Concluding Statements	166	(1)
Summary	167	(2)
6. PRIESTS AS SACRAMENTAL MINISTERS: "UNCHARTED TERRITORY"	169	(43)
Liturgical Roles and Priestly Identity	170	(7)
Invisibility of Lay Parish Leaders	177	(3)
Sunday Worship without a Priest	180	(3)
Priest Burnout: An Inside View	183	(8)
Stressful Relationships	191	(5)
Priests' Support for Married Leaders	196	(9)
The Future: Visions and Strategies	205	(6)
Summary	211	(1)
7. THE BISHOPS: VALIDATION AND SUPPORT	212	(38)
Choosing Parishes for Alternate Leadership	213	(7)
Application, Screening, and Appointment Procedures	220	(6)
Installation Ceremonies	226	(7)
The Bishops' Ongoing Support	233	(10)
The Bishops' Views about the Future	243	(6)
Summary	249	(1)
8. CONCLUSION	250	(6)
Summary	250	(2)
Implications for Future Research and Policy Changes	252	(2)
Toward a Different Form of Parish Leadership	254	(2)
APPENDIX: THE PRIEST SHORTAGE	256	(9)
NOTES	265	(6)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	271	(3)
INDEX	274