Global Catholicism in the Twenty-first Century

Description

This book explores key themes and issues confronting modern Catholicism. Bringing together cutting-edge research in the field of religious studies and the sociology of religion, it offers a systematic overview of the global Church in its contemporary context. It examines Catholicism from a social scientific perspective, and provides an analysis of a major global social institution from the point of view of its presence in a range of diverse social settings. Topics covered include Catholicism and post-secularism; digital Catholicism; Catholic practice in the context of modernity; global Catholicism in a multi-faith world; Catholicism and world politics; the tensions between Catholic thought and social action; the Church’s relations with major faiths such as Judaism and Islam; and religion and social change driven by modernity. Front Matter ....Pages i-x Introduction (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 1-15 Front Matter ....Pages 17-17 Catholicism, Secularism, and Modernity in the Twenty-First Century (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 19-29 Digital Catholicism: The Internet and the Vatican (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 31-46 Social Theory, Theology, Secularisation, and World Youth Day (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 47-60 Catholicism and Capitalism: Ideology, Faith, and Power (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 61-69 Women and the Catholic Church (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 71-80 Front Matter ....Pages 81-81 Catholicism and Judaism After Vatican II: The Church’s Response to the Shoah (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 83-94 Islamic–Catholic Relations in an Age of Terror (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 95-109 Beijing and the Vatican: Catholics in China and the Politics of Religious Freedom (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 111-126 Negotiating Social Inclusion: The Catholic Church in Australia and the Public Sphere (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 127-142 The Church in the Americas: Religion and Two Divided Continents (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 143-158 Conclusion: The Catholic Church in a Changing World (Andrew P. Lynch)....Pages 159-164 Back Matter ....Pages 165-168