The Catholic Bishops in the U.S. Public Arena: Changing Prospects under Pope Francis
The public profile of the Roman Catholic bishops of the United States results not simply from their own interventions in political life, but from the broad array of actions and actors within “public Catholicism” broadly conceived. This article assesses the contemporary profile of the American bishop...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2016-02-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/7/2/14 |
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doaj-e591e595f9e54955bde4992be437c3032020-11-24T21:53:02ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442016-02-01721410.3390/rel7020014rel7020014The Catholic Bishops in the U.S. Public Arena: Changing Prospects under Pope FrancisRichard L. Wood0Department of Sociology, University of New Mexico, MSC 05 3080, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USAThe public profile of the Roman Catholic bishops of the United States results not simply from their own interventions in political life, but from the broad array of actions and actors within “public Catholicism” broadly conceived. This article assesses the contemporary profile of the American bishops from this broad angle, particularly in light of new dynamics under the papacy of Francis I. It does so by documenting public Catholicism’s presence in ecclesial institutions, other public institutions, and lay-centered social movements (particularly faith-based community organizing) and via a case study of the healthcare reform debate around the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Affordable Care Act. Cultural and institutional factors shaping Catholic public presence are analyzed in three dimensions of social life: institutional leadership; authority dynamics within the Church; and the culture of prayer, spirituality, and worship in parishes. Finally, the conclusion discusses the key dynamics likely to shape the future of public Catholicism in America.http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/7/2/14Roman Catholic bishopsUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishopspublic religionpublic Catholicismhealth reformAffordable Care Actfaith-based community organizingPICO National Network |
| collection |
DOAJ |
| language |
English |
| format |
Article |
| sources |
DOAJ |
| author |
Richard L. Wood |
| spellingShingle |
Richard L. Wood The Catholic Bishops in the U.S. Public Arena: Changing Prospects under Pope Francis Religions Roman Catholic bishops United States Conference of Catholic Bishops public religion public Catholicism health reform Affordable Care Act faith-based community organizing PICO National Network |
| author_facet |
Richard L. Wood |
| author_sort |
Richard L. Wood |
| title |
The Catholic Bishops in the U.S. Public Arena: Changing Prospects under Pope Francis |
| title_short |
The Catholic Bishops in the U.S. Public Arena: Changing Prospects under Pope Francis |
| title_full |
The Catholic Bishops in the U.S. Public Arena: Changing Prospects under Pope Francis |
| title_fullStr |
The Catholic Bishops in the U.S. Public Arena: Changing Prospects under Pope Francis |
| title_full_unstemmed |
The Catholic Bishops in the U.S. Public Arena: Changing Prospects under Pope Francis |
| title_sort |
catholic bishops in the u.s. public arena: changing prospects under pope francis |
| publisher |
MDPI AG |
| series |
Religions |
| issn |
2077-1444 |
| publishDate |
2016-02-01 |
| description |
The public profile of the Roman Catholic bishops of the United States results not simply from their own interventions in political life, but from the broad array of actions and actors within “public Catholicism” broadly conceived. This article assesses the contemporary profile of the American bishops from this broad angle, particularly in light of new dynamics under the papacy of Francis I. It does so by documenting public Catholicism’s presence in ecclesial institutions, other public institutions, and lay-centered social movements (particularly faith-based community organizing) and via a case study of the healthcare reform debate around the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Affordable Care Act. Cultural and institutional factors shaping Catholic public presence are analyzed in three dimensions of social life: institutional leadership; authority dynamics within the Church; and the culture of prayer, spirituality, and worship in parishes. Finally, the conclusion discusses the key dynamics likely to shape the future of public Catholicism in America. |
| topic |
Roman Catholic bishops United States Conference of Catholic Bishops public religion public Catholicism health reform Affordable Care Act faith-based community organizing PICO National Network |
| url |
http://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/7/2/14 |
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