Governance, accountability, and the future of the Catholic Church / edited by Francis Oakley and Bruce Russett.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Oakley, Francis.

Russett, Bruce M.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Catholic Church--Government--Congresses.

Catholic Church.

Church renewal--Catholic Church--Congresses.

Church renewal.

Church renewal--Catholic Church.

Political science.

Genre:

Conference papers and proceedings.

Physical Description:

240 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : Continuum, [2004]

Summary:

In March 2003 leading historians, theologians, journalists, social scientists, and foundation executives met together at the St. Thomas More Catholic Center at Yale University to examine the current crisis facing the Catholic Church. The conference was a first in the Center's history and indicative of the size and scope of a crisis unprecedented in the American Catholic Church, namely, the revelations of sexual abuse by priests and the hierarchy's complicity. The aim of the conference was to heal and strengthen the church through a deeper understanding of governance, leadership, and the roles of the laity and clergy. The findings and recommendations of this important conference are published here for the first time. Contributors include: John Beal, Francis Butler, Francine Cardman, Marcia Colish, Donald Cozzens, Gerald Fogarty, James Heft, Gerard Mannion, John McGreevy, Francis Oakley, Peter Phan, Thomas Reese, Bruce Russett, Peter Steinfels, Brian Tierney, and Donald W. Wuerl.

Contents:

Introduction: How did we get here and where do we go? / Francis Oakley, Bruce Russett 7

1. Reflections on governance and accountability in the church / Donald W. Wuerl 13

2. Necessary but not sufficient: A response to bishop wuerl's reflections / Peter Steinfels 25

Part 1 Historical Perspectives on a Changing Church

3. Myth, history, and the beginnings of the church / Francine Cardman 33

4. Church law and alternative structures: A medieval perspective / Brian Tierney 49

5. Reclaiming our history: Belief and practice in the church / Marcia L. Colish 62

6. Constitutionalism in the church? / Francis Oakley 76

7. It shall not be so among you! Crisis in the church, crisis in church law / John Beal 88

8. Episcopal governance in the american church / Gerald P. Fogarty, S.J. 103

Part 2 The Church Today

9. Accountability and governance in the church: Theological considerations / James L. Heft 121

10. The sex abuse crisis: The view from recent history / John T. McGreevy 136

11. The impact of the sexual abuse crisis / Thomas J. Reese, S.J. 143

12. Financial accountability: Reflections on giving and church leadership / Francis J. Butler 153

13. "A haze of fiction": Legitimation, accountability, and truthfulness / Gerard Mannion 161

14. A new way of being church: Perspectives from asia / Peter C. Phan 178

15. Standing in the fire / Donald Cozzens 191

Conclusion: Monarchy, democracy, or "decent consultation hierarchy"? / Bruce Russett 196.

Notes:

Proceedings of a conference held Mar. 28-30, 2003 at Yale University.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0826415776

OCLC:

53045105