Shepherds and Sheep: Parish Reconfiguration,Authority, and Activism in a Catholic Diocese

This mixed method study describes contention over parish reconfiguration in a northeast Catholic diocese, and a case study of one merged parish. Guided by social movement theories about collective action frames and political opportunities in mobilization, we outline the diocesan frame of reconfiguration and the counter frame developed by activists who organized to oppose the process. While the diocesan frame focused on a shortage of priests that officials believed demanded reconfiguration of financially burdened parishes, the lay counter frame shifted the debate to questions about the role of the laity in the contemporary Catholic Church and what they perceived as failed leadership from their bishop. Our case study of Resurrection Parish shows how the merger process and the activists’ opposition to their diocesan leaders resulted in a parish that works to ensure the involvement of the laity, and continues to publicly dissent from Catholic leaders.     

Satisfaction and Morale Among Parish Clergy: What American Catholic and Orthodox Priests Can Learn from Each Other

The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches share a similar theology and a hierarchical church administration. Local parish communities are organized in similar ways. However, the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian churches occupy different places in the context of American culture, and they have developed distinct notions of priesthood. Findings explore similarities and differences in the attitudes and experience of Catholic and Orthodox clergy. Most striking, the younger clergy (less than 45 years of age) report more conservative attitudes about the priesthood, "democracy" in church government, and empowering lay persons in the ministry.     

People Caught in Changing Career Opportunities: A Counseling Process

The article describes a counseling process to assist people who are caught in career changes. The process acknowledges the effect of changing labor market opportunities on the career decision making process.     

Young People,Sexuality, and HIV Prevention Within Christian Faith Communities in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Faith communities exert a powerful influence on the life of their members, and studies are needed about how they may be able to influence young people’s attitudes regarding sexuality and HIV prevention. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire from young people (811), aged 15–24 years, affiliated to the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and the Assemblies of God. The majority of participants perceived themselves at risk of HIV infection (53 %). Premarital sexual abstinence was the most frequently (88 %) reported prevention message, followed by faithfulness (23 %), HIV testing (18 %) and condom use (17 %). Furthermore, religious affiliation was associated with education on sexuality and HIV in youth groups, with better information given to members of the Lutheran and Catholic churches. Faith communities need to strengthen their capacity to educate young people in a more holistic way about sexuality and HIV prevention.     

"Thy People Are My People": Emma Lazarus,Daniel Deronda,and the Ambivalence of Jewish Modernity

This essay examines the role of Jews in Britain’s imperial strategy and asks whether Britain could have built its empire without them. Recent scholarship concerning Jews and the British Empire places Jews in the “informal empire”, in economic and other activities outside political rule. This was the case in nineteenth‐century Malta, where Jews established themselves in commercial activities in support of Britain’s military ambitions in the Mediterranean. They received some political recognition, though this was short‐lived. Despite the efforts of Moses Montefiore, the British government refused to yield space for building a synagogue. The success of Malta’s leading Jews, in the early and mid‐century, meant that they were never above suspicion. In the late nineteenth century, the British government shielded the Jewish community from an accusation of ritual murder, but this had more to do with promoting British interests vis‐à‐vis the Catholic Church in Malta than advancing Jewish interests. Colonial policy concerning Jews did not result from a coherent rationale concerning Jewish interests nor consistent Jewish influence.     

A Social Psychology of Cultural Dynamics: Examining How Cultures Are Formed,Maintained, and Transformed

Social psychological research on culture has mainly focused on differences in psychological processes between cultural groups. However, in the globalizing world today, a complementary approach to culture, a social psychology of cultural dynamics, is emerging as a critical research program. Adopting a neo‐diffusionist meta‐theory of culture, it regards culture as emerging from the processes of cultural transmission in situated social activities, and examines the dynamics involved in the formation, maintenance, and transformation of culture over time. The paper reviews recent research on culture in this perspective and makes suggestions about future directions.     

People With External Preoccupation Are Vulnerable to Depression: A Longitudinal Study

External preoccupation, the tendency to maintain an external focus of attention on a specific object, is believed to be a vulnerability factor for depression. The present study is an investigation of this hypothesis in a longitudinal design. At Time 1, external preoccupation as well as depressive symptoms were assessed. At Time 2, 4 months later, life events experienced between Time 1 and Time 2 and depressive symptoms at Time 2 were assessed. Data from 195 undergraduates (147 men and 48 women) were analyzed. The results supported the hypothesis. Specifically, when reporting a greater number of negative life events, those who scored high on external preoccupation became more depressed than those who scored low on that tendency. When there was a smaller number of negative events, this difference disappeared.     

A God of Life,a Civilization of Love: Justice,Mission, and Catholic Social Teaching

The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Busan, Republic of Korea, presents a unique opportunity to reflect on an ecumenical theology of mission. This article draws on Roman Catholic perspectives and specifically asks how Catholic social teaching can contribute to this international and inclusive discussion. Connecting some central principles of this teaching to the core theme of the Busan assembly, the author argues that the central aim of Catholic social teaching is to proclaim a God of life and build a civilization of love. As it fosters justice and peace, the church seeks to globalize solidarity and make more visible the invisible heart of God.     

Nursing Practices in Catholic Healthcare: A Case Study of Nurses in a Catholic Private Hospital

We aimed to investigate Catholic Identity and Mission communication specifically how nurses were expressing the Catholic healthcare values in practice. A mixed-methods, case study design was used and included non-participant observation, a mid-level manager focus group (n = 7) and online surveys (n = 144). Document and observational data analysis revealed the organisation’s commitment to visible indication of Catholic values adherence. Focus group analysis revealed two themes, ‘Catholic values in action’ and ‘taking the extra step’. The impact of Catholic Identity and Mission on nurses and nursing care recipients remains elusive and warrants further understanding.