Innovators in the Catholic Church

Abstract

The role of the innovator in the Catholic Church (as well as in society) is thought to be great, particularly in this time of rapid change in which the postconciliar Church presently finds itself. A highly innovative group of Catholics who belong to alternative types of change-oriented parishes were compared to Catholics from diocesan and more traditional parishes. The innovative group was significantly different than the more traditional group (more openminded, having a greater sense of self-identity, more intrinsically motivated regarding religious affiliation, more post-Vatican II in their theologies, more liberal on certain social questions, and more participative and satisfied with their parishes). The Catholic Church is comprised of significantly different sub-groups, with orientation to change and innovation a relevant differentiating variable. The importance of the way that religious affiliation is approached as opposed to membership per se was pointed out.