Catholic Research Articles

A Polish Patriot in Paris: Albert Sowiński, Essayist, Anthologist and Lexicographer

If there was one musician in mid-nineteenth-century Paris who diligently promoted Polish accomplishments, it was Albert Sowinski (Wojciech Sowiński). From his arrival in France in 1828 until his death in 1880, he championed the Polish cause as a performer, composer and scholar. Sowinski was a prolific writer, but with the exception of his Les musiciens polonais et slaves, anciens et modernes, Dictionnaire (1857), his studies of Polish repertoire rarely receive more than passing attention in modern scholarship. In this essay, I investigate Sowinski’s developing paradigms of Polish nationalism and Polish identity across the entirety of his major writings about and collections of Polish music: Chants polonais nationaux et populaires (1830), Chants de la révolution du 29 novembre 1830 (1830), Mélodies polonaises album lyrique (1833), ‘Chants populaires de l’Ukraine’ (1842), ‘De l’état actuel de la musique en Pologne’ (1842), Dictionnaire (1857) and Chants religieux de la Pologne, Op. 93 (1859). The four works from the 1830s, which focused on Polish folk music and revolutionary songs, were closely tied to Sowinski’s work with Léonard Chodzko (Leonard Chodźko) and his circle in Paris. Especially in the Chants polonais, Sowinski followed Chodzko and Joachim Lelewel in emphasising the exceptional geographic, linguistic and even ethnic diversity of the old Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, viewing this diversity as the basis for a glorious musical and political future. By contrast, in his critical writings of the 1840s, Sowinski interpreted Ukraine’s folk traditions as speaking largely to regional experience; he cast Warsaw and its musical institutions as the basis for a modern Polish musical identity. By the time of his Dictionnaire and Chants religieux de la Pologne, Sowinski de-emphasised Poland’s musical exceptionality in favour of delineating its long tradition of exchange with Western Europe, facilitated particularly through courts and the Roman Catholic Church.

The Reception of the Document on Human Fraternity for WorldPeace and Living Together in the Catholic Church

The Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together signed inAbu Dhabi on February 4, 2019 by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam ofAl-Azhar Mosque, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, is something unprecedented. This document is a source of inspiration, and at the same time a huge challenge for many institutions, organizations, political and religious leaders. The article is devoted to the issue ofreception of this declaration in the Catholic Church. It is divided into two parts. In thefirst part two important ideas from the entire document are extracted and commented.In the second part the paper focuses on some elements related to the reception of thisdocument in the Catholic Church. According to some Catholic circles, by signing theDocument on Human Fraternity Pope Francis compromised the doctrine of the Catholic Church. In other circles of the Catholic Church, this document was highly appreciated. The critical presentation of the various reactions related to the reception of the Document on Human Fraternity ends with some personal comments and suggestions given by the Author of the article

Church-State Collaboration in Management of Catholic Church Sponsored Public Secondary Schools in Nandi County, Kenya

Church-State Collaboration in Management of Catholic Church Sponsored Public Secondary Schools in Nandi County, Kenya

Challenges of Church-State Collaborations in Management of Catholic Church Sponsored Public Secondary Schools in Nandi County, Kenya

Challenges of Church-State Collaborations in Management of Catholic Church Sponsored Public Secondary Schools in Nandi County, Kenya

‘For everything, the local priest is a helper in adversity’: Catholic clergy and the new order in post-Habsburg Tyrol

ABSTRACT Austrian North Tyrol – the northern part of the former Habsburg Crownland not occupied and annexed by Italy after the Great War – is often presented as a redoubt of tradition and religiosity, in which conservative powerbrokers and the Catholic Church easily wielded rural allegiances to their own ends. Such narratives, however, elide the substantial efforts necessary to maintain this system through periods of crisis. In this article, the author investigates how a key group of actors within the Catholic conservative elite – Roman Catholic parish priests – navigated one of these periods: the post-imperial transition. Identifying the Tyrolean clergy as a sub-elite that mediated between higher political elites and the wider population, the author uncovers how local resistance challenged the influence of the Church in the aftermath of the war. In response, priests led a Catholic offensive aimed at winning back their parishes and reaffirming the hierarchies that underlay conservative rule in Austrian Tyrol. Ultimately, through their multiple functions and role as mediators, Tyrolean parish clergy contributed in often-overlooked ways to shoring up Catholic conservative hegemony and extending it across the interwar period.

Opposition Attitudes of the Youth in the Polish People’s Republic

The main aim of this article is to discuss the opposition attitudes of the young people in the Polish People’s Republic (PRL). It is not a regular narrative. It is rather a review of selected phenomena, presented in several interlinked essays. The youth subcultures, underground organizations, some opposition attitudes (resistance, dissent and political opposition) and young people’s answer to the proposition of the Catholic Church were analysed in that work. Those attitudes were determined by the political, social and economic circumstances in the years 1945-1989, especially the lack of freedom of legal action outside of rulers’ control, the degree of integration within the regime and the relations of domination and subordination, as well as the associated with them level of frustration.

The Paradoxical Power of Vulnerability—What It Reveals about Abuse and Cover-Up

Researching the question of how the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), and by extension other institutional systems, respond or do not respond to the lived reality of abuse and its cover-up cannot be done without seeking to understand the underlying issue: What is the RCC responding (or not responding) to? One elucidating and perhaps surprising answer lies in the little and often misunderstood word vulnerability. Vulnerability, most probably counter-intuitively, has in fact the power to enhance violence or to reverse its destructive influence. This thought forms the basis for an exploration into what Professor Dr. Hildegund Keul has named the vulnerability and expenditure paradox. The logic in both of them seems understandable and straightforward. Yet, when genuinely understood, they are unsettling. They reveal an uncomfortable dilemma, a reality check and, ultimately, a choice as the paradox raises the rather earthly question: do we attempt to cheat death and therefore lose life, or do we opt for “creation through loss”? The first might, though linked to violence, lead to a feeling of security and invulnerability. The second exemplifies the passion of authentic suffering, humility and identity dependence. From a Christian perspective, it is the incarnation of love.

Visions of peace: Exploring how Scottish youth understand and define peace

AbstractIn this article, we report on a study that explored how young people in Scotland understand and define peace. A total of 59 young people aged 12–18, from three schools (independent, state Roman Catholic, and state non-denominational) participated in this study. The young people were asked to participate in a peace data walk and, after that, to draw or paint pictures of what peace means for them in their local community and beyond. We utilize a combination of Personal Meaning Mapping, visual content analytic procedures, and visual art coding scheme to analyse the pictures. We drew on Critical Peace Education as an overarching framework to approach data collection and on the Peace Education Curricular Analysis framework to examine the presence of positive peace elements in youth drawings/paintings. Previous research in different contexts suggests that youth find it difficult to conceptualize peace, whereas it appears to be easy to explain war and negative peace (i.e., absence of war). Previous research conducted in Scotland showed that the curriculum focused on the element of wellbeing, with many other positive peace elements being either absent or not well represented. By contrast, youth in our study showed a strong understanding of positive peace, with a particular emphasis on the following facets: peace zone, eco mind, wellbeing, peace bond, and social justice. In our conclusion, we discuss these findings in relation to Scottish education policies and ways of capitalizing on this method of engagement and overall findings to support youth learning about peace.

Performing heritage at Cordoba’s Mosque-Cathedral

ABSTRACT This article explores the politics of cultural heritage in societies experiencing secularization and religious diversification by examining recent efforts made by Cordoba's Cathedral Chapter to emphasize the Christian origins and identity of the iconic Mosque-Cathedral. We argue that the Cathedral Chapter’s approach to managing and narrating the building over the past two decades responds largely to tensions stemming from the divergence between the primacy of its Islamic or multi-religious identity characteristic of popular representations of the building, both within Spain and beyond, on the one hand, and the primacy of the building’s Christian identity as manifested in the institutional arrangements concerning its ownership, management, and use, on the other. While this divergence has been a source of periodic tensions since the 1970s, such tensions have been amplified by recent symbolic acts and popular movements contesting the Church’s dominion over the Mosque-Cathedral, as well as by broader societal changes that have diminished the Church’s power and influence and heightened its sense of vulnerability. We identify and analyse four main strategies employed by the Catholic Church to (re)narrate the meaning of the building and assert its Christian roots and identity: (1) archaeological projects attempting to demonstrate its Christian foundations; (2) liturgical practices presenting it as a church to establish its Christian identity; (3) discursive practices framing Catholic traditions and rituals as ‘intangible heritage’ crucial to the building's successful preservation; and (4) the unconditional prohibition of Muslims from performing Islamic prayers. In our research, we have focused on the utilization of museological methods and the interweaving of diverse repertoires (scientific, artistic, religious), by Catholic actors, aimed authenticating and validating novel interpretations about the origin and Christian character of the building.

Overcoming the Patronage System: Propaganda Fide and Its Portuguese Patronage Documents on China in the Early Modern Period

From its foundation in 1622, the Congregation de Propaganda Fide held supreme jurisdiction over all missionary activities of the Catholic Church at the global level, with authority coming directly from the pope. Its main goals were the expansion of the Catholic faith, the reaffirmation of papal spiritual primacy, and the promotion of Indigenous clergy throughout the world, which put Propaganda Fide in direct competition with secular rulers who also wanted to control missionary activities in their overseas territories. This article will examine one such conflict, namely that regarding Portugal and its royal patronage system in China. The Historical Archive of Propaganda Fide in the Vatican City holds extensive material concerning Portuguese patronage and China, which has remained relatively unknown and understudied. Through an examination of several of the most significant documents, such as the formal terms sent by the Portuguese court to the Holy See, the response of Propaganda Fide, and the final declaration of the Holy See, which would become the cornerstone for all future decisions over the patronage system, it is suggested that these negotiations about China are in fact central to a wider shift in global Catholic policy and politics in the field of missionary activity.

Faith, Climate, and Energy Frugality: Unravelling the Nexus in European Perspectives

This study explores the relationship between religious beliefs, perceptions of climate change, and preferences for energy frugality in Europe using data from the November 2023 European Social Survey across 22 countries. The research reveals a predominant inclination toward median values in addressing climate change, with subtle variations based on levels of religiosity. Lower religiosity tends to be associated with a nuanced attribution of climate change to human activity. There is a complex interplay between religiosity and the perception of personal responsibility in mitigating climate change, indicating some polarisation but an overall increasing sense of accountability. Religious affiliations show distinct attitudes, with Protestants more inclined to attribute climate change to human causes. Roman Catholics are closer to some Protestants, while other Christian denominations exhibit flexibility and common ground with Islam and Judaism. However, it is concluded that demographics and political alignment play a more pivotal role compared to religiosity levels or religious denominations.

The inclusive potential of synodality: Pope Francis, merciful discernment, and a validity of a kind

ABSTRACT This paper explores Pope Francis’ vision of synodality, fundamentally underpinned by his commitment to mercy through discernment, to underscore certain grounds for the pastoral inclusion of the gay community, in particular same-sex couples, within the Catholic Church. This paper identifies the bases of Church tradition on the subject and identifies questions that have surfaced, both prior and during, the XVI Ordinary Synod of Bishops. This paper focuses on Francis’ treatment of synodality, through an exploration of the methods of his discernment and his gospel driven propensity toward mercy to those on the margins of society. These elements contribute to a vision of a validity of a kind which, when understood in light of Amoris laetitia, holds the potential for gay inclusion. The Synod of Bishops is further held as the platform of synodality regarding controversial issues, due to its reflection of the wider, universal Church.

Catholic Diocesan and Religious Priests’ Perceptions of Social Support from Their Fellow Priests, Bishops, and Religious Superiors

In the wake of the clergy sexual abuse crisis in 2002, the Catholic Church underwent a tectonic shift that affected the well-being of priests and the relationship between bishops and priests. The present study aims to understand how Catholic priests perceive social support from both their fellow priests and their episcopal leaders nearly 20 years after the crisis’ wake as it could potentially have significant implications for the well-being of priests. The data gathered for this article is from in-depth interviews with U.S. Catholic priests ( N = 104) including both diocesan ( n = 70) and religious priests ( n = 34). This article explores the question “How do Catholic diocesan and religious priests perceive support, or lack thereof, from their fellow priests and their bishop or superior?” Our analysis examines the presence as well as absence of vertical and horizontal support among diocesan and religious priests. By further understanding how priests experience social support from those in their organization, we can cultivate better avenues of support for Catholic priests that are specific to their needs and desires which could potentially improve their overall well-being. Some practical implications of this study are discussed which could help aid Catholic leaders and formators in nurturing these kinds of support structures.

Slavery and the Catholic Church in the United States: Historical Studies ed. by David J. Endres (review)

Slavery and the Catholic Church in the United States: Historical Studies ed. by David J. Endres (review)

Catholic Women’s Activism for Abortion in Late Twentieth-Century Mexico and Contests over Legitimacy

Building on recent research, this paper recounts the emergence of Catholic women’s activism in favor of the right to abortion in late twentieth-century Mexico. The article argues that contests over legitimacy—specifically, disputes among Catholics about which beliefs are legitimately Catholic—are central to this history. In this case, the article follows Catholic women’s attempts to legitimize their position in favor of the right to abortion and Catholic authorities’ attempts to delegitimize the same idea. The paper concludes with a 1992 episode in Guanajuato that has not received much scholarly attention, when secular and Catholic feminists collaborated. Because these Catholic activists faced opposition from angry protestors, they set up a press conference to dispel any misconceptions and legitimize their own Catholic position in favor of the right to abortion to the Mexican public. The resistance Elvia Neri, a retired Catholic woman and mayordoma for her church, faced led her to share her testimonio, a rare archival source that publicly reconciled a commitment to both the Catholic faith and reproductive rights. Scholarship on feminist mobilization has at least included the work of Catholic activists who advocated the right to abortion. However, these contests over legitimacy have led scholarship on Catholic women’s activism to neglect Catholic perspectives that favor the right to abortion.

Systematic Investigation of the Influence of Religion on Business Management: A Bibliometric Approach

Abstract In the dynamic context of modern business, the role of religion in business management is increasingly attracting the attention of researchers and practitioners. Religion, seen as a set of spiritual beliefs and practices, deeply shapes people’s values, behaviors, and decisions, thus impacting the way organizations are managed. Using bibliometric analysis allowed us to identify research trends, the links between the keywords underlying the selected studies, and the impact of the publications on the business environment. The study revealed that religious values can shape ethical behavior, leadership styles, and corporate social responsibility in business. Most studies focus on the influences of Islamic, Catholic, and Protestant religions, leaving a significant gap in understanding how orthodox values and practices influence organizational behavior and business ethics, even though this is the dominant religion in many Eastern and South-Eastern European countries. For a more comprehensive perspective, future research should include case studies and surveys in these geographical and cultural regions, combining qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. This study provides a robust basis for future research, stimulating reflection on how religious values can shape the business landscape in the 21st century.

Conservatism, Prayer, and Flourishing Among Catholic Priests

The literature on well-being and religiosity is extensive, but the research on well-being and religiosity among clergy in particular is less developed. Additionally, little research has investigated the role of theological orientation in well-being. This brief research note investigates the interrelationships among well-being (as measured by the Harvard Flourishing Index), theological orientation (as measured by self-identified level of theological liberalism/conservatism), and prayer in a sample of ∼2,980 Roman Catholic priests. Prayer has a robust, independent, and significant relationship with flourishing across all subscales. Overall theologically conservative priests report higher flourishing, but some of this relationship is due to higher prayer. While copious prior literature has examined associations between well-being and religiosity, this study shows that some of these same patterns and themes extend even to professional clergy. Clinically speaking, it also brings attention to the particular stressors faced by liberal or less practicing clergy in a predominantly conservative religious tradition and the potential role that prayer can play in clergy well-being.

Employment at Will and Roman Catholic Social Teachings: A Study of Employment Praxis in America

Employment at Will and Roman Catholic Social Teachings: A Study of Employment Praxis in America

Liturgical Theology: Liturgical Inculturation as an Effort to Maintain Religious and Cultural Identity for Catholic Students who are Prospectives Catechists of The Batak Tribe

Local culture has extraordinary wealth for the people who have it and makes life valuable. The existence of local culture is eroded by the presence of outside cultures and becomes consumed by the younger generation, including Catholic students. Cultural changes have also changed for the community, especially students as a young generation. This has an impact on the inculturation of local culture (Batak culture) in the church through Catholic liturgy. This research aims to find out the main elements in the inculturative liturgy, namely aspects of language, building architecture, liturgy music, liturgical clothing, and dance movements, which are cultural artworks that have the values of Batak community life and become an attraction for Catholic students as a form of love for local wisdom. This research uses a descriptive qualitative method with interview techniques for informants, the collection of supporting data through documentation, and direct observation related to the facts that occur about the implementation of liturgical inculturation. Key informants in this research include Catholic students, parish pastoral councils and parishioners, and cultural leaders. The research findings show that Catholic students really understand the basic concept of Catholic liturgical inculturation of local culture in the form of church music, dance, clothing, singing, architectural forms of church buildings, and language. Another finding is that students' love for local culture (Batak culture) in Catholic church liturgy is evidenced by taking part in the celebration of inculturation liturgy. This research shows that Catholic students have an understanding of and love for local culture in the celebration of the inculturation Eucharist.

As Reformas religiosas e o nascimento da escolarização ocidental

The religious reforms of the 16th century served as the midwives of early modernity. At a time when the Iberian expansion was globalizing the continents, these reforms sparked religious wars and deeply fragmented the European landscape. This confessionalization of society led to the emergence of a more rationalized form of Christianity, represented by various Protestant churches and Tridentine Catholicism, particularly exemplified by the Society of Jesus. Diverging from medieval Christianity, Lutherans, Calvinists, and Anglicans invested in creating their own networks of educational institutions, sparking an unprecedented wave of schooling that aimed to solidify the religious practices of their followers. In response, the Catholic Church also equipped itself, establishing parish schools and, notably, a network of Jesuit colleges that spread throughout the Catholic regions of Europe, Asia, and the New World. In 1599, the Society of Jesus unified its educational establishments with the institution of the Ratio Studiorum — a comprehensive set of Jesuit educational rules that became the foundational curriculum for Catholic schooling in the early modern period. This study argues that the religious reforms were instrumental in the birth of Western schooling, emerging from different Christian matrices — both Protestant and Catholic. This represents a historical shift — in the Foucauldian sense — that led to the rise of schooling in the Western world, characterized by modern discipline, manifested through mechanisms such as time control, spatial organization, the arrangement of forces, a climate of competition and student reward, and an emphasis on moral punishments. This issue is examined through three recent historical-sociological works published in Europe and Latin America: Produção da escola/produção da sociedade: Análise sócio-histórica de alguns momentos decisivos da evolução escolar no Ocidente by sociologist André Petitat; Arqueología de la escuela by sociologists Julia Varela and Fernando Álvarez-Uría; and A invenção da sala de aula: Uma genealogia das formas de ensinar by historians Inés Dussel and Marcelo Caruso. This historiographical reflection examines the emergence of Western schooling, aiming to identify common analytical elements across these three books, while also noting differences, particularly those related to theoretical foundations and socio-spatial contexts.