Church Ethics and Its Organizational Context
Learning from the Sex Abuse Scandal in the Catholic Church
Church Ethics and Its Organizational Context
Learning from the Sex Abuse Scandal in the Catholic Church
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Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742532472
Number of Pages: 224
Width: 17.6 cm
Height: 23.4 cm
Church Ethics and Its Organizational Context is the first book to provide a broadly interdisciplinary approach to understanding the leadership crisis in the Catholic Church in the wake of the sex abuse scandal and how it was handled. Well-known scholars, religious clergy, and laymen in the trenches of church formation and leadership come together from the disciplines of organizational behavior, theology, sociology, history, and law, to foster the creation of a new code of ethics that is both ecclesial and professional. Touching on issues of governance, authority, accountability, and transparency, this volume goes on to specifically explore whether and how professional ethics can shape the identity and actions of Church leaders, ministers, and their congregations. While evoked by the sex scandal in the Church, the essays in this book raise questions that have implications far beyond this current issue, to much broader issues such as the role of professionalism in ethics and what it means for an organization to engage in moral action.
Chapter 1 Introduction Part 2 Part I. New Ways of Understanding the Crisis Part 3 Section 1: The Crisis and the Scandal Chapter 4 Understanding the Crisis in the Church Chapter 5 The Sexual Abuse Scandal as Social Drama Part 6 Section 2: The Context of the Church in the United States Chapter 7 The Six Stages of Catholicism in America Chapter 8 The Struggle to Preserve Religious Capital: A Sociological Perspective on the Catholic Church in the United States Part 9 Section 3. The Church and Leadership: Perspectives on Reform Chapter 10 Ecclesiological Perspectives on Church Reform Chapter 11 Looking Good vs. Being Good: Pitfalls of Maintaining Perceptions of Strong Leadership Following Organizational Scandals Part 12 Part II. Ethics, Organizations, and Church Culture Part 13 Section 1: Framing Professional Relationships in the Church Chapter 14 Toward an Ecclesial Professional Ethics Chapter 15 Renewing the Psychological Contracts of the Clergy and Laity Part 16 Section 2: Organizational Perspectives on Morality and Ethics Chapter 17 Organizational Morality Chapter 18 Ethics Codes, Intervention and Corruption Reform Methods for Ecclesial Professionals Part 19 Section 3: Proposing an Ethical Code? Chapter 20 A Professional Code of Ethics Reflecting the Nature of a Christian Vocation and an Understanding of Leadership in the Church Chapter 21 A Professional Code of Ethics? Part 22 Section 4: Civil and Canonical Cautions Chapter 23 Toward an Ecclesiastical Professional Ethic: Lessons from the Legal Profession Chapter 24 "Turning Pro:" Theologico-Canonical Hurdles on the Way to a Professional Ethic for Church Leaders Part 25 Section 5: Reflections on an Ethical Church Culture Chapter 26 Reflections on Ethics Organizations, and Church Culture Chapter 27 An Ethical Church Culture Part 28 Biographical Sketches
This book should be required reading for all members of all churches, and especially for all church leaders or anyone in a particular office or role in the church. The interdisciplinary essays in this book never lose their clear and solid focus on ethical guidelines for the internal life of the church and its external mission. We have here, therefore, a remarkable new set of insights into church relationships and roles, and a significantly new understanding of the church itself. Moral responsibility is finally brought together in very specific ways with profound faith and accountable service. The result holds great promise for new life in the multiple concrete situations of every church. -- Margaret A. Farley, Gilbert L. Stark Professor of Christian Ethics, Yale University Divinity School
I sat down to review and ended up devouring this book. At last we have a comprehensive perspective on the American Roman Catholic Church that combines sound ecclesiology with a contemporary organizational critique. This book will empower those trainedin organizational theory and sociology to enter into the dialog of the present crisis of the Church no longer having to feel that the domain is restricted to psychology and moral theology.... -- Andre L. Delbecq, McCarthy University Professor, Santa Clara University and Director of the Institute for Spirituality of Organizational Leadership
The essays collected here are unparalleled in the breadth and depth of their analysis of a church in crisis. Moreover, the authors take us beyond their penetrating analysis to a realistic vision of renewal and reform. -- Donald Cozzens, author of Faith That Dares to Speak
Drawing on multiple disciplines, this book sheds light on factors that created the conditions for the sex abuse scandal and initiates a conversation about the possibility of a professional code of ethics for church leaders...[it] invites church leaders and academics to continue this important conversation that promotes ethical reflection on professional ministry. -- Angela Senander * Catholic Books Review, 2007 *
This book of essays is well put together...[the] volume in its focus and style will appeal to anyone concerned about the future of the Catholic Church....All college libraries should definitely have it. * Horizons: The Magazine of Presbyterian Women *
Bartunek, Hinsdale, and Keenan have edited an impressive volume of multi-disciplinary perspectives on unethical behavior. Analyzing sex abuse in the Catholic Church, the chapters explore the complex causes underlying the scandal and show how the larger organizational context contributed to it. The book goes far beyond church abuses to provide a comprehensive understanding of how unethical behavior can emerge in all kinds of social contexts and how it should be handled. Anyone with a serious interest in ethical behavior in modern organizations will find it a compelling read. -- Thomas G. Cummings, Professor and Chair, Department of Management & Organization and 2005-2006 President of the Academy of Management
I sat down to review and ended up devouring this book. At last we have a comprehensive perspective on the American Roman Catholic Church that combines sound ecclesiology with a contemporary organizational critique. This book will empower those trained in organizational theory and sociology to enter into the dialog of the present crisis of the Church no longer having to feel that the domain is restricted to psychology and moral theology. -- Andre L. Delbecq, McCarthy University Professor, Santa Clara University and Director of the Institute for Spirituality of Organizational Leadership
While drawing from a rich range of perspectives, the volume presents a set of common themes....The volume should be useful to those seeking to understand the causes and consequences of the scandal, to suggest or implement corrective action, or to apply its lessons in other contexts. -- Ramon J. Aldag, University of Wisconsin-Madision * Administrative Science Quarterly *
Readers will benefit from the various perspectives that multiple disciplines provide, which will undoubtedly allow them to consider the crisis and professional ethics through new categories. * Catholic Books Review, December 2008 *
I sat down to review and ended up devouring this book. At last we have a comprehensive perspective on the American Roman Catholic Church that combines sound ecclesiology with a contemporary organizational critique. This book will empower those trainedin organizational theory and sociology to enter into the dialog of the present crisis of the Church no longer having to feel that the domain is restricted to psychology and moral theology.... -- Andre L. Delbecq, McCarthy University Professor, Santa Clara University and Director of the Institute for Spirituality of Organizational Leadership
The essays collected here are unparalleled in the breadth and depth of their analysis of a church in crisis. Moreover, the authors take us beyond their penetrating analysis to a realistic vision of renewal and reform. -- Donald Cozzens, author of Faith That Dares to Speak
Drawing on multiple disciplines, this book sheds light on factors that created the conditions for the sex abuse scandal and initiates a conversation about the possibility of a professional code of ethics for church leaders...[it] invites church leaders and academics to continue this important conversation that promotes ethical reflection on professional ministry. -- Angela Senander * Catholic Books Review, 2007 *
This book of essays is well put together...[the] volume in its focus and style will appeal to anyone concerned about the future of the Catholic Church....All college libraries should definitely have it. * Horizons: The Magazine of Presbyterian Women *
Bartunek, Hinsdale, and Keenan have edited an impressive volume of multi-disciplinary perspectives on unethical behavior. Analyzing sex abuse in the Catholic Church, the chapters explore the complex causes underlying the scandal and show how the larger organizational context contributed to it. The book goes far beyond church abuses to provide a comprehensive understanding of how unethical behavior can emerge in all kinds of social contexts and how it should be handled. Anyone with a serious interest in ethical behavior in modern organizations will find it a compelling read. -- Thomas G. Cummings, Professor and Chair, Department of Management & Organization and 2005-2006 President of the Academy of Management
I sat down to review and ended up devouring this book. At last we have a comprehensive perspective on the American Roman Catholic Church that combines sound ecclesiology with a contemporary organizational critique. This book will empower those trained in organizational theory and sociology to enter into the dialog of the present crisis of the Church no longer having to feel that the domain is restricted to psychology and moral theology. -- Andre L. Delbecq, McCarthy University Professor, Santa Clara University and Director of the Institute for Spirituality of Organizational Leadership
While drawing from a rich range of perspectives, the volume presents a set of common themes....The volume should be useful to those seeking to understand the causes and consequences of the scandal, to suggest or implement corrective action, or to apply its lessons in other contexts. -- Ramon J. Aldag, University of Wisconsin-Madision * Administrative Science Quarterly *
Readers will benefit from the various perspectives that multiple disciplines provide, which will undoubtedly allow them to consider the crisis and professional ethics through new categories. * Catholic Books Review, December 2008 *