Rise and Fall of Catholic Religious Orders

Patricia Wittberg, S.C. is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Indiana University, Indianpolis.

"It is a fine example of how to apply theoretical analysis to historical material in a way that sheds light on a contemporary social phenomenon. I have seen nothing in this genre with a similar respect for the complexities involved in the rise and decline of Catholic religious orders. This group—a sociological goldmine—has been largely ignored in the sociological analysis of intentional communes and communities. Wittberg's treatment is broad in scope, historically and theoretically, and should lead to further research on contemporary groups using the theoretical model presented here." — Loretta M. Morris, Loyola Marymount University"Reduction in the numbers of religious order members has blockbuster consequences for the various missions of the Catholic Church. No one has written on this topic with the commanding scholarship exhibited by the author."— Patrick McNamara, University of New Mexico

• List of Tables Preface 1. The Extent of the Problem Part One: Preliminary Definitions and Theoretical Background 2. Theories of Ideology3. Roman Catholic Religious Life Part Two: Mobilization of Religious Virtuosi 4. Personal Incentives for Membership5. Mobilization of Resources by Religious Orders6. Frame Alignment and Religious Virtuosity7. Elements of Virtuoso Ideologies8. Ideological Supports for Religious Virtuosity9. Determinants of Ideological Change Part Three: Perspectives on Movement Decay 10. Previous Decline Periods in Religious Orders11. Religious Orders as Intentional Communities Part Four: The Present Collapse 12. A Brief History of U.S. Religious Orders13. The Collapse of Ideology, I14. The Collapse of Ideology, II15. The Withdrawal of Resources16. Conclusions Glossary Appendix Notes Bibliography Name Index Subject Index