Church Ethics and Its Organizational Context Learning from the Sex Abuse Scandal in the Catholic Church

by Bartunek, Jean M.; Hinsdale, IHM, Mary Ann; Keenan, SJ, James F.,; Beal, John P.; Butler, Francis J.; Y. Chang, Patricia M.; Coquillette, Daniel R.; Dillon, Michele; Elsbach, Kimberly D.; Gaillardetz, Richard R.; Gula, S.S., Richard M.,; Hinings, C R.; Ke

• ISBN13: 9780742532489
• ISBN10: 0742532488
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-11-03
• Publisher: Sheed & Ward

Summary

Church Ethics and Its Organizational Context is the first book to provide a broadly interdisciplinary approach to understanding the leadership crisis in the Catholic Church in the wake of the sex abuse scandal and how it was handled. Well-known scholars, religious clergy, and laymen in the trenches of church formation and leadership come together from the disciplines of organizational behavior, theology, sociology, history, and law, to foster the creation of a new code of ethics that is both ecclesial and professional. Touching on issues of governance, authority, accountability, and transparency, this volume goes on to specifically explore whether and how professional ethics can shape the identity and actions of Church leaders, ministers, and their congregations. While evoked by the sex scandal in the Church, the essays in this book raise questions that have implications far beyond this current issue, to much broader issues such as the role of professionalism in ethics and what it means for an organization to engage in moral action.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations	xi
Introduction	xiii
Jean M. Bartunek and James F. Keenan
PART I: NEW WAYS OF UNDERSTANDING THE CRISIS
Section 1: The Crisis and the Scandal
1 Understanding the Crisis in the Church	3	(14)
Paul Lakeland
2 The Sexual Abuse Scandal as Social Drama	17	(14)
Jean M. Bartunek
Section 2: The Context of the Church in the United States
3 The Six Ages of Catholicism in America	31	(12)
James M. O'Toole
4 The Struggle to Preserve Religious Capital: A Sociological Perspective on the Catholic Church in the United States	43	(14)
Michele Dillon
Section 3: The Church and Leadership: Perspectives on Reform
5 Ecclesiological Perspectives on Church Reform	57	(12)
Richard R. Gaillardetz
6 Looking Good vs. Being Good: Pitfalls of Maintaining Perceptions of Strong Leadership Following Organizational Scandals	69	(14)
Kimberly D. Elsbach
PART II: ETHICS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND CHURCH CULTURE
Section 1: Framing Professional Relationships in the Church
7 Toward an Ecclesial Professional Ethics	83	(14)
James F. Keenan
8 Renewing the Psychological Contracts of the Clergy and Laity	97	(18)
Denise M. Rousseau
Section 2: Organizational Perspectives on Morality and Ethics
9 Organizational Morality	115	(8)
C.R. (Bob) Hinings and Michael K. Mauws
10 Ethics Codes, Intervention, and Corruption Reform Methods for Ecclesial Professionals	123	(14)
Richard P. Nielsen
Section 3: Proposing an Ethical Code?
11 A Professional Code of Ethics Reflecting the Nature of a Christian Vocation and an Understanding of Leadership in the Church	137	(10)
Francis J. Butler
12 A Professional Code of Ethics?	147	(10)
Richard M. Gula, SS
Section 4: Civil and Canonical Cautions
13' Toward an Ecclesiastical Professional Ethic: Lessons from the Legal Profession	157	(12)
Daniel R. Coquillette and Judith A. McMorrow
14 Turning Pro: Theologico-Canonical Hurdles on the Way to a Professional Ethic for Church Leaders	169	(10)
John P. Beal
Section 5: Reflections on an Ethical Church Culture
15 Reflections on Ethics, Organizations, and Church Culture	179	(8)
James E. Post
16 An Ethical Church Culture	187	(8)
Patricia M.Y. Chang
Index	195	(8)
About the Editors and Authors	203