From Institution to Spirituality and Back: Or, Why We Should Be Cautious About the “Spiritual Turn” in the Sociology of Religion

Abstract

This chapter offers a cautious reaction to the limits of the “spiritual turn” in religion, at least as far as the Roman Catholic Church is concerned. Particularly in Italy he notes an increasing distance between the hierarchy and the faithful, but reminds us that there, at least, power remains with the hierarchy. Hence, individual believers may move in multiple directions within and without the church, while the hierarchy basically controls the organization qua organization. The hierarchy rules with or without the consent of the governed, with or without the spirituality it would most like to engender. Thus while there may well develop a lay spirituality that is more “open to the world” and tolerant of other creeds or lifestyles, neither the laity engaged in these spiritual movements nor social scientists studying them should assume that some type of “bottom up” change in ecclesiastical structures and policies will necessarily be entailed.