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Leading Family and Church: a Study Among Married Priests of Church of South India in Trivandrum

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Leading Family and Church: a Study Among Married Priests of Church of South India in Trivandrum LEADING FAMILY AND CHURCH: A STUDY AMONG MARRIED PRIESTS OF CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA IN TRIVANDRUM A Dissertation Submitted to the University of Kerala in the Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters of Arts Degree Examination in Sociology SUBMITTED BY Name : CHRISTBEN D F Exam Code : 56013405 Candidate Code: 56017115003 Subject Code : SO245 UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF Dr. NISHA JOLLY NELSON DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY LOYOLA COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES SREEKARIYAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 2017-2019 i DECLARATION I, CHRISTBEN D F do hereby declare that the Dissertation Titled LEADING FAMILY AND CHURCH: A STUDY AMONG MARRIED PRIESTS OF CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA IN TRIVANDRUM is based on the original work carried out by me and submitted to the University of Kerala during the year 2017-2019 towards partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree Examination in Sociology. It has not been submitted for the award of any degree, diploma, fellowship or other similar title of recognition before any University or anywhere else. Thiruvananthapuram 23/09/2019 CHRISTBEN D F ii CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL This is to certify that this dissertation entitled LEADING FAMILY AND CHURCH: A STUDY AMONG MARRIED PRIESTS OF CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA IN TRIVANDRUM is a record of genuine work done by Mr.Christben D F, fourth semester Master of Sociology student of this college under my supervision and guidance and that it is hereby approved for submission. Dr. Nisha Jolly Nelson Research Guide Department of Sociology Loyola College of Social Sciences Sreekariyam Recommended for forwarding to the University of Kerala Dr. Nisha Jolly Nelson Head, Department of Sociology Loyola College of Social sciences Sreekariyam Forwarded to the University of Kerala Dr. Saji P Jacob Principal Loyola College of Social Sciences 23/09/2019 Sreekariyam iii ACKNOWLEDGMENT This dissertation is a result of the right blend of guidance and help received from many individuals which has increased my knowledge dimensions. Therefore, I would like to thank all those who helped me to accomplish this study. I thank the Almighty, for giving me enough strength, patience, perseverance and the right attitude to pursue this study satisfactory. I thank my family, who supported, motivated and enabled me to complete this endeavor. I am indebted to my research guide and teacher Dr. Nisha Jolly Nelson, Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Sociology, Loyola College of Social Sciences, Trivandrum for her guidance and support without which this study would not have happened. I admire her optimism and the faith she had in me for undertaking this dissertation. I express my sincere gratitude towards her for her timely guidance, useful comments and constant encouragement. I extent my wholesome gratitude to Dr. Saji P Jacob Principal, Loyola College of Social Sciences and other, faculty of the Department, who have helped me, and for their support, assistance and guidance whenever required during my research. I am indebted to all the priests and family who have participated in this research. I also thank my friends who spared their precious time and energy to help take this project to fruition. I would also thank the Dr. Sunil and Mr. George for providing with the resources in the library and their assistance in finding resources. I am privileged to be a student of Loyola College for having provided me such a great learning experience and inspiring and giving opportunities to excel in life long learning through field based activities. CHRISTBEN D F 23/09/2019 MA SOCIOLOGY iv TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTERS TITLE PAGE NUMBER I INTRODUCTION 1-13 II LITERATURE REVIEW 14-21 III METHODOLOGY 22-24 IV DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS 25-51 AND INTERPRETATION V FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND 52-56 SUGGESTIONS BIBLIOGRAPHY 57-59 APPENDIX-I 60 INTERVIEW GUIDE v ABSTRACT The present study titled LEADING FAMILY AND CHURCH: A STUDY AMONG MARRIED PRIESTS OF CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA IN TRIVANDRUM was an attempt to understand the life experiences of priest’s with family life. The researcher looks at how does the double status affect their life socially, economically, culturally? And whether it is a challenging one? Church of South India (CSI) is the second largest Christian church in India based on number of members and South Kerala Diocese is one of the largest Diocese of CSI. The researcher focuses on the life experiences of the priests in South Kerala Diocese of the CSI. A qualitative approach was adopted in the study where cases were identified and information was gathered from them. Religion is an essential institution of society and part of every known cultures in varied form and role. There are many studies about religion in sociology. Emile Durkheim and Max Weber ensured religion has immortal place among the celebrated branches of sociology (Nisbet, 1965). There are many sociological studies about Christian priesthood, especially on Catholic priesthood, which shows the ritualistic and non-ritualistic roles of priesthood and their life experiences. But other than that, in this study, the researcher tries to understand the life experience of another category of priests, who leads their life with two status as a priest and at the same time as a man of house. The study reveals that married priests life is a busy life with lot of unexpected problems and tensions. Transferring system leads to many challenges like children’s education, adaptation to different cultural and social settings. Economically they face the problem of salary pending which leads to income instability. They also face a feeling of “alienation”. They are being alienated from their own land and relatives and work in a new place and among new people. The other important challenge that they face is that of the unity of church. The church politics is a big threat to the everyday functioning of church based activities. While leading church and family at a time, it is needed to be adjusting to family affairs. Conflicts within the church will affect priest’s family life. This is a constrained life that society always monitoring the family life of a priest. “In the social sense, the priesthood is highly regarded as very respectful. The community looks forward to a priest with high expectations. Therefore they are obliged to lead such an exemplary life. Society is always monitoring us”. However, they also reminded that their mission is to tackle of all these problems and doing Godly service, even if there are too many responsibilities with tensions. They can do it by spiritual power. vi CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Page 1 of 60 INTRODUCTION Religion changes across the globe. It is a strong social institution. Different parts of the world have different beliefs and rules that maintain their religion. That is the social world consists of a number of religions. Not all religions follow the same practices but there are some similarities between most, if not all, religions. Religions have their own rituals attached to their beliefs. Some rituals across religions (like fasting) are specific to one religion while others are practiced throughout. Religions incorporate myths into how they practice, and why they practice by conveying messages about the supernatural through stories or metaphors. They are used to help express ideas and concepts as well as help the followers achieve spirituality. Religion can help people find peace of mind, give them hope, turn their life around, and change their point of view Religion can be used to justify things and to motivate others. Rituals and ceremonies are practiced to show dedication and faith to a religion. In the middle ages, there was a definite structure in society. That is the people were born into a class and generally stayed in that class for our entire life. Working hard did not change your status. Our clothing, food, marriage, homes, etc., were determined for us. After the rank of king, the hierarchy was the nobles, the knights, the clergy (religious people), the tradesmen and the peasants.One of the most unifying elements of the middle ages was the Roman Catholic Church. All classes and ranks of people as nobles, peasants and tradesmen that were profoundly affected by the rulings of the church.The clergy were the religious people of the middle ages. Following the pope, in order of rank, there were bishops, priests, monks and nuns. In the latter part of the middle ages, the pope, as head of the church, had much influence over the king and total control of the clergy. So in the middle age society the religion have an important role in the society and also the religious authority was a prominent social class .In the latter part of the middle ages, people were heavily taxed to support the church. In return for their tax money they received the “way to everlasting life” and happiness after leading lives that were often short and hard. Children were taught basic prayers and to go to church every week.The Roman Catholic Church was the single largest unifying organization in medieval Europe. It touched everyone’s life, no matter what their rank or class or where they lived. In that way religion was an important subject matter of sociology from the middle ages. The eminent sociologist like Max Weber, Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx has their own perspective on religion. As above mentioned every Page 2 of 60 religion have their own authority like bishop monks, priest etc. But the concept of priest is familiar in every religion they are act as the mediator between God and man. So the priests are an important social class and had become a subject matter of sociology in many contexts as the religion. However the theme of priests and priesthood is prominent within the Christian Scriptures.
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