A Matter of Discretion

The Politics of Catholic Priests in the United States and Ireland

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Church, Clergy, Church & State, Denominations, Catholic, Catholicism
Cover of the book A Matter of Discretion by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon ISBN: 9781442237254
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Publication: April 12, 2017
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Language: English
Author: Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
ISBN: 9781442237254
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication: April 12, 2017
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Language: English

Clergy are pillars of local religious communities, and Roman Catholic priests are perhaps the quintessential examples of pastors functioning as political elites. The political science literature demonstrates that priests (indeed, clergy more generally) are well-positioned to influence the faithful, even if this influence is somewhat inconsistent. At their core, priests are opinion leaders and representatives of their church to both the faithful and their local communities.

But exactly how Catholic priests determine the political acts and attitudes associated with their elite role remains a puzzle. We suggest it is the product of an interactive institutional, social, and psychological milieu, the complexity of which has not been fully assessed in the extant literature. Though some might prefer to think of priests as profiles in courage operating above the political fray, the institutional and personal realities of priest life often forces them to deal with the political realm. In doing so, priests are variably responsive to different principals, or reference groups, that represent specific dimensions of their professional context. Drawing on a series of randomized experiments on samples of Roman Catholic priests in the US and Ireland, we find that priests cognitively draw on varying professional and personal cues in responding to their employer’s institutional preferences. Furthermore, how priests represent their church's political preferences to parishioners appears to be a matter of individual-level discretion.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Clergy are pillars of local religious communities, and Roman Catholic priests are perhaps the quintessential examples of pastors functioning as political elites. The political science literature demonstrates that priests (indeed, clergy more generally) are well-positioned to influence the faithful, even if this influence is somewhat inconsistent. At their core, priests are opinion leaders and representatives of their church to both the faithful and their local communities.

But exactly how Catholic priests determine the political acts and attitudes associated with their elite role remains a puzzle. We suggest it is the product of an interactive institutional, social, and psychological milieu, the complexity of which has not been fully assessed in the extant literature. Though some might prefer to think of priests as profiles in courage operating above the political fray, the institutional and personal realities of priest life often forces them to deal with the political realm. In doing so, priests are variably responsive to different principals, or reference groups, that represent specific dimensions of their professional context. Drawing on a series of randomized experiments on samples of Roman Catholic priests in the US and Ireland, we find that priests cognitively draw on varying professional and personal cues in responding to their employer’s institutional preferences. Furthermore, how priests represent their church's political preferences to parishioners appears to be a matter of individual-level discretion.

More books from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Cover of the book The American Way by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book White Teachers, Black Students by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book Clinical Problem Solving by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book The Limits of Alliance by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book The Sounds of Our Offerings by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book Understanding the Power and Politics of Public Education by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book Propriety and Permissiveness in Bourbon Mexico by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book Your Brain on Ink by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book The Life and Songs of Stephen Foster by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book Founding the American Presidency by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book Paraverbal Communication in Psychotherapy by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book Approaches to Political Thought by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book Counterintelligence Theory and Practice by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book Student Blogs by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
Cover of the book African Americans and Depression by Brian R. Calfano, Melissa R. Michelson, Elizabeth A. Oldmixon
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy