Abstract
This study used structured interviews to investigate (1) priest-respondents’ perceptions and attitudes toward bishops since 2002, (2) priest-respondents’ perceptions and attitudes toward their diocese, ministry, and vocation, (3) priest-respondents’ changes in ministerial activities as a result of codes of pastoral conduct, (4) priest-respondents’ personal feelings of competence regarding the codes of pastoral conduct, and (5) priest-respondents’ feelings of support since 2002. Using snowball sampling techniques, 22 Catholic priests were interviewed in 2006 and 2007. These respondent-priests perceived a significant barrier between themselves and bishops. While respondents’ attitudes toward the priesthood and their vocations had not changed, they were less trusting of their bishops. Finally, most had made significant accommodation to the manner in which they minister to parishioners, especially to young people. Respondents indicated that they were less likely to become involved in pastoral counseling, developing social relationships with parishioners, and other non-liturgical activities. Respondents indicated that they were far less likely to engage in pastoral activities that might compromise their future ministry or result in suspicion or an allegation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benyei, C. R. (1998). Understanding clergy misconduct in religious systems: Scapegoating, family secrets and the abuse of power. New York: The Haworth Pastoral Press.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (1995). New York. Doubleday.
Ciarrocchi, J. W., & Wicks, R. J. (2000). Psychotherapy with priests, Protestant clergy, and Catholic religious: A practical guide. Madison, CT: Psychosocial Press.
Cozzens, D. B. (2000). The changing face of the priesthood. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press.
Cozzens, D. B. (2002). Sacred silence: Denial and crisis in the church. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press.
Dulles, A. (2004). Rights of accused priests. America, 190(20), 19–23.
Hoge, D. R., & Wenger, J. E. (2003). Evolving visions of the priesthood. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press.
Houston-Vega, M. K., Nuehring, E. M., & with Daguio, E. R. (1997). Prudent practice: A guide for managing malpractice risk. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
John Jay College (2004). The nature and scope of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and deacons in the United States, 1950–2002. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Jordan, M. D. (1997). The invention of sodomy in Christian theology. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Jordan, M. D. (2000). The silence of Sodom: Homosexuality in modern Catholicism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Kane, M. N. (2006a). Risk management for Catholic priests in the United States: A new demand from the code of pastoral conduct. Social Thought: Journal of Religion in Social Services, 25(1), 47–67.
Kane, M. N. (2006b). Codes of conduct for Catholic clergy in the United States: The professionalization of the priesthood. Mental Health, Religion, & Culture, 9(4), 355–378.
Kane, M. N. (2006c). New standards for pastoral care. America, 194(13), 16–19.
Kennedy, P. J., & Sons (2006). The official Catholic directory—Anno Domini 2005. New Providence, NJ: Authors.
Los Angeles Times (2002). A survey of Roman Catholic priests in the United States and Puerto Rico conducted by the Los Angeles Times Poll June 27 to October 11, 2002. Los Angeles: Author.
National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. (2002). Virtus’ Model Code of Pastoral Conduct. Retrieved May 4, 2004 from the World Wide Web: www.virtus.org
Reamer, F. G. (1998). Ethical standards in social work: A critical review of the NASW code of ethics. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Reamer, F. G. (1997). Ethical standards in social work: The NASW code of ethics. In R. L. Edwards (Ed.), Encyclopedia of social work, 19th ed. (pp. 113–123). Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Rosetti, S. J. (1999). Understanding diocesan priesthood. Human Development, 20(1), 35–39.
Rosetti, S. J. (2005). The joy of the priesthood. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press.
Rubin, A., & Babbie, E. R. (2005). Research methods for social work. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Schoenherr, R. A., & Yamane, D. (2002). Goodbye Father: The celibate male priesthood and the future of the Catholic Church. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Sperry, L. (2003). Sex, priestly ministry, and the church. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)–Office of media relations (2007). The Catholic Church in the United States at a glance. Retrieved July 20, 2007 from the World Wide Web: http://www.usccb.org/comm/statisti.shtml
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) (2002). Charter for the protection of children & young people. Washington, DC: Author.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kane, M.N. A Qualitative Survey of the Attitudes of Catholic Priests Toward Bishops and Ministry Following the Sexual Abuse Revelations of 2002. Pastoral Psychol 57, 183–198 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-008-0171-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-008-0171-9