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Who do we think we are? A study of the self-understandings of priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool
FALLON, CHRISTOPHER,ANTHONY
How to cite: FALLON, CHRISTOPHER,ANTHONY (2013) Who do we think we are? A study of the self-understandings of priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool , Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/6983/
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2 Who do we think we are?
A study of the self-understandings of priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool
Christopher Anthony Fallon
Thesis submitted for the award of a PhD in Practical Theology
Department of Theology and Religion
Durham University
2013
C A Fallon PhD 2013.04.03 Abstract This mixed-methods study compares the self-understandings of a sample of priests in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool with the findings of an influential study in the United States. It reviews Liverpool’s history of expansion and decline which has left fewer and older priests serving fewer active Catholics and an undiminished number who still expect the provision of baptisms, first communions, marriages and funerals. Through interviews, focus groups, a case study, a diary exercise and a survey, the study examines the models of priesthood which the priests adopt, their theological standpoints or views of Catholicity and their personality types and finds complex correlations between these factors. It concludes that the polarity revealed by the American study between the cultic and servant leader models of priesthood is present among this sample of priests, but less sharply and with more complex attitudes to ontological change, hierarchy and theological orthodoxy. It suggests a complex relationship between these models of priesthood and two views of Catholicity: a more world-affirming view commonly associated with Rahner and a more world-judging view commonly associated with von Balthasar. It reports some correlations between model of priesthood, view of Catholicity and personality type as measured by the NEO-FFI personality inventory. It argues that certain factors in the experience of religious order priests serving in parishes may tend to make pastoral ministry less stressful for them than it is for diocesan priests. It reports the priests’ views on developments in the Church since the Second Vatican Council, details their hopes and concerns and makes recommendations to address those concerns.
C A Fallon PhD 2013.04.03 Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...... 1
Table of Figures ...... 6
Table of Abbreviations ...... 9
Statement of Copyright ...... 10
Acknowledgements ...... 11
Dedication ...... 12
Introduction ...... 13
Personal background ...... 15
Chapter 1: The historical context for this study ...... 18
Chapter 2: The evolution and methodology of the project ...... 20
Chapter 3: Five theories emerging from the qualitative data: interviews, diaries, focus groups and case study...... 21
Chapter 4: Confirmatory data from the survey ...... 23
Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations ...... 24
1. The historical context for this study: a story of survival, revival, expansion and decline ...... 25
Catholics in Lancashire during penal times: survival or revival? ...... 25
Industrialisation, immigration and expansion ...... 31
From expansion to decline ...... 39
The Worlock years ...... 54
The Kelly years ...... 60
Conclusion ...... 64
2. The evolution and methodology of this project ...... 65
Initial research plan ...... 67
Elements of the research plan ...... 69
C A Fallon PhD 2013.04.03 1 The interviews ...... 70
The focus groups ...... 73
The clergy inservice groups ...... 74
The case study ...... 74
The diary exercise ...... 76
Early stages of the research ...... 76
Changes to the initial research plan ...... 77
Literature review ...... 78
Demographic trends and social history of the Catholic community ...... 79
Recent diocesan strategies in England, France, Holland and North America ...... 81
Theological context and trends in the theology of ordained ministry ...... 82
Methodology for qualitative research in practical theology ...... 91
Previous studies of priests' perceptions of their ministry...... 94
Conclusion ...... 102
3. Five theories emerging from the qualitative data: interviews, diaries, focus groups and case study...... 104
Servant leader and cultic models of priesthood ...... 105
Words, images or models used to describe priestly ministry ...... 106
Activities prioritised ...... 108
Hopes and concerns about the challenges facing priests today...... 112
The case study ...... 122
Views on recent developments in the life of the Church ...... 129
Complex views of ontology, magisterium and theology ...... 152
Two views of Catholicity ...... 153
Personality traits ...... 156
Religious and diocesan priests ...... 158
Clarity about charism and mission ...... 159 C A Fallon PhD 2013.04.03 2 Structures of support and accountability ...... 161
Close relationships with superiors ...... 163
Collaborative processes for decision-making ...... 165
Frequent changes of responsibility ...... 168
Communal living ...... 168
Complex sense of identity ...... 171
Summary of views on the different experiences of religious and secular priests ...... 174
Formation for ministry ...... 175
Conclusion ...... 176
4. Confirmatory data from the survey ...... 178
Description of survey design and process ...... 178
Survey Table 1: Background information ...... 179
Survey Table 2: Models of priesthood ...... 179
Survey Table 3: Theological worldviews or views of Catholicity ...... 181
Personality types: NEO-FFI Five Factor Inventory ...... 182
Distribution and response rate ...... 188
Seven hypotheses ...... 189
Description of responses ...... 191
Model of priesthood ...... 191
Summary of responses on models of priesthood...... 199
Views of Catholicity ...... 199
Summary of responses on views of Catholicity ...... 207
Personality types ...... 208
Summary of personality scores ...... 215
Correlations and findings ...... 218
Probability ...... 218
C A Fallon PhD 2013.04.03 3 Servant leader and cultic model correlations ...... 221
Correlations between models of priesthood and views of Catholicity ...... 223
Correlations between personality type, models of priesthood and views of Catholicity...... 232
Summary of correlations between personality traits, models of priesthood and views of Catholicity ...... 236
Generational differences ...... 237
Comparison of priest interviewees’ responses with those of ‘others’ ...... 240
Conclusion ...... 24