Communicating Catholicism : rhetoric, ecclesial leadership, and the future of the American Roman Catholic diocese / Craig T. Maier.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Maier, Craig T., 1973- author.

Series:

Fairleigh Dickinson University Press series in communication studies

The Fairleigh Dickinson University Press series in communication studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Catholic Church--United States.

Catholic Church.

Dioceses.

United States.

Catholic Church--Dioceses--United States.

Communication--Religious aspects--Catholic Church.

Communication.

Physical Description:

xxxiv, 219 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Madison : Fairleigh Dickinson University Press ; Lanham, Maryland : Copublished by The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc., [2016]

Summary:

Fr. Thomas Reese has observed that American Catholic dioceses are simultaneously mysterious and essential to the institutional health and vitality of American Catholicism. In recent years, as American Catholicism increasingly finds itself embroiled in scandal and conflict, this mystery has given way to feelings of suspicion, frustration, and even contempt. How can American dioceses navigate this complex and often hostile social, cultural, and political environment? Several decades ago, J. Michael Sproule invited rhetorical and communication scholars to focus on institutions to increase our understanding of the profound role of complex organizations in contemporary life, assess the purpose and significance of communication in pursuit of their missions, and "give a human face to the otherwise institutional voice of corporate suasion." Following Sproule, this book defines a new field, called diocesan institutional rhetoric, that strives to transform dioceses from structures characterized by closure and adversity into sites of hope-full, response-able, Spirit-led opportunity. Today, rhetoric and communication issues emerge everywhere in American Catholicism. Drawing together relevant literature in Catholic theology, philosophy of communication, and corporate communication scholarship-as well as the author's more than twelve years of experience working as a communication professional in a diocesan chancery-this book helps diocesan leaders, scholars, and observers think differently and more fruitfully about the future of American Catholic ecclesial leadership. Book jacket.

Contents:

Part I The Call of a Catholic Moment 1

1 The Rhetorical Challenge of Ecclesial Leadership 3

2 Framing Diocesan Institutional Rhetoric 33

3 The Corporate Historical Responsibility of Ecclesial Leadership 69

Part II The Response of Ecclesial Leadership 97

4 The Historicity of a Catholic Moment 99

5 Diocesan Institutional Rhetoric and Administrative Play 129

6 The Joy of Ecclesial Leadership 165.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 203-214) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Maier, Craig T., 1973- author. Communicating Catholicism.

ISBN:

9781611479614

1611479614

OCLC:

950519638