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©2009 Stephen Joseph Fichter All Rights Reserved 2009 STEPHEN JOSEPH FICHTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED SHEPHERDING IN GREENER PASTURES: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE DUAL TRANSITION OF CELIBATE CATHOLIC PRIESTS INTO MARRIED PROTESTANT MINISTRY by STEPHEN JOSEPH FICHTER A Dissertation submitted to the Graduate School-New Brunswick Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Program in Sociology written under the direction of Ellen L. Idler and approved by ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ New Brunswick, New Jersey January 2009 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION Shepherding in greener pastures: Causes and consequences of the dual transition of celibate Catholic priests into married Protestant ministry By STEPHEN JOSEPH FICHTER Dissertation Director: Ellen L. Idler Since the late 1960s, roughly one-quarter of Roman Catholic priests in America have resigned, motivated mainly by a desire to marry. While several sociologists (e.g., Fichter, Greeley, Hoge, and Schoenherr) have studied the motivations and actions of resigned priests (who usually maintain their Catholic identity and take up some form of non-pastoral employment after their transition), this research seeks to describe a never- before-studied subgroup that chose to re-focus their lives towards Protestant ministry. The research offices of the five mainline Protestant Churches (Congregational, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian) identified 414 such ministers, of whom 32 percent chose to participate. All 133 respondents completed a 12-page survey either by anonymous return mail or during a telephone or a face-to-face interview. The analysis plan, designed to answer the four research questions (outlined below), consisted of three parts: 1) a detailed reporting on the frequencies of the principal variables, 2) a series of cross-tabulations, and 3) several multivariate regression models. ii The first major finding confirmed that marriage was their main motivator. The distinction between those who followed their “heart” as opposed to those who followed their “head,” highlighted the fact that both emotion and intellect had a role to play. Although one could get the impression (by listening to their retrospective narratives only) that both head and heart had equal “pull,” analyzing their concrete actions revealed that most followed their hearts first by marrying before switching affiliation. Results from the second research question revealed a definite period effect that can be traced back to the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. The third line of inquiry verified the link between parental support for the transition and current levels of satisfaction, with the added nuance that such a correlation is stronger among former diocesan priests than it is among religious priests. Finally, results from the fourth research question support the hypothesis that the obligations of marriage limit the number of hours that a minister can dedicate to his flock. These “greener pastures shepherds” follow a work schedule that is more similar to their current denomination’s average than it is to the Catholic priest model. iii Acknowledgement Reaching this milestone moment of putting the final touches on my dissertation leads me to reflect with profound gratitude on the innumerable gifts received during the past four decades of life. Before all else, I want to thank God and my parents for bringing me into existence and for showering me with so much love throughout the years. To Ellen Idler, such a kindhearted and competent mentor, I express my sincere appreciation for her expert guidance as the chair of my committee. I also wish to thank Ben Zablocki and Eviatar Zerubavel, the other two members from Rutgers, for their insightful feedback and support. Dianne Yarnell deserves special recognition for her consistently thoughtful and eminently practical assistance. Among the many brilliant professors and staff at Lucy Stone Hall, I acknowledge Karen Cerulo, Shan Harewood, Kristen Springer, and Arlene Stein for their valuable contributions along the way. Besides offering immensely helpful commentaries as the official “outside” reader, Andrew Greeley has become an esteemed friend, a trusted colleague, and a connection to my Jesuit sociologist granduncle, Joseph Fichter, RIP. One of the biggest boosts to my confidence was when Andy, who writes so prolifically, described my writing as pellucid. Although not members of the committee, I often turned to Jim Davidson, Ruth Doyle, and Jim Kelly for advice; I cannot thank them enough. I am also grateful to the two Marys (Bendyna and Gautier) at the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate for always being so encouraging. As well, I thank Jackson Carroll and Paul Sullins for allowing me to use parts of their surveys in the construction of my own. The late Dean Hoge deserves credit not only for helping me to contact the Protestant Churches but also for sparking my interest in pursuing a doctorate in Sociology in the first place. iv Among the many wonderful people at the various denominational headquarters who were so helpful to me, I want to single out Beth Rauen Sciaino and Matthew Price of the Episcopal Church; Marty Smith and Kenneth Innskeep of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; John O’Hara of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; Robert Kohler of the United Methodist Church; Keith Wulff and Ida Smith-Williams of the Presbyterian Church; and Richard Sparrow of the United Church of Christ. Without their assistance, I would have never been able to reach the participants whom I thank wholeheartedly for sharing their fascinating experiences with me. I hope that as they read this report, they will find that I recounted their biographies accurately and with the utmost respect. None of this academic work would have been possible without the support of the terrific staff and the accommodating parishioners at Sacred Heart and at Saint Gabriel the Archangel where I have been ministering during the past eight years. I thank Archbishop Myers, Bishop Flesey, and Msgr. Fuhrman for encouraging me to pursue my dream. Among my dearest friends, I express my gratitude to the McSweeny family for helping me to codify and enter the data, and for allowing me to use their summer home as a writing haven. Cathy Howath and Jeanne Marzitelli were extraordinarily generous with their time during the tedious stage of data entry on those marathon days in the computer lab. With fondness, I mention Kathe Carson’s supportive “sounding board” skills, Maria Citro’s warm hospitality, Terri Mierswa’s keen interest, and Kathleen Pless’s eagle eyes. Finally, a word of thanks for my brother priests whose constant encouragement has sustained me in myriad ways. I think of the spiritual guidance of Bill Poorten, S.J., the calming presence of Phil Morris, the heartening laughter shared with Jerry Hahn, and the affirmation with which Jim Burke and Frank McNulty have nurtured me. v Dedication Ad maiorem Dei gloriam In loving memory of Father Joseph H. Fichter, S.J., my “famous” sociologist granduncle on the occasion of his 100th birthday (June 10, 2008) (See Appendix F for additional personal information on Uncle Joe.) vi Table of Contents Abstract............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................. iv Dedication.......................................................................................................................... vi Table of contents............................................................................................................... vii List of tables....................................................................................................................... xi List of figures................................................................................................................... xiii 1. Introduction....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Unique transitional group offers valuable sociological insights........................1 1.2 Clarification of terms .........................................................................................5 1.3 Historical review of religiously motivated celibacy ..........................................6 1.4 Catholic insistence on the holiness of celibacy................................................10 1.5 The anomie that sprang from the Vatican’s aggiornamento ...........................14 1.6 Protestants and the “Pastoral Provision”..........................................................22 1.7 Twelve theoretical boundary crossings............................................................24 1.8 Outline for the following chapters ...................................................................27 2. Review of the literature................................................................................................28 2.1 Overview of the literature ................................................................................28 2.2 Vatican position on celibacy in the light of Weberian theory .........................30 2.2.1 Introduction to two fundamental texts ....................................................30 2.2.2 Asceticism, charisma, and the virtuoso state ..........................................32
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