Rowman & Littlefield Publishers American Catholics in Transition: Persisting and Changing

Product Description American Catholics in Transition reports on five surveys carried out at six year intervals over a period of 25 years, from 1987 to 2011. The surveys are national probability samples of American Catholics, age 18 and older, now including four generations of Catholics. Over these twenty five years, the authors have found significant changes in Catholics' attitudes and behavior as well as many enduring trends in the explanation of Catholic identity. Generational change helps explain many of the differences. Many millennial Catholics continue to remain committed to and active in the Church, but there are some interesting patterns of difference within this generation. Hispanic Catholics are more likely than their non-Hispanic peers to emphasize social justice issues such as immigration reform and concern for the poor; and while Hispanic millennial women are the most committed to the Church, non-Hispanic millennial women are the least committed to Catholicism. In this fifth book in the series, the authors expand on the topics that were introduced in the first four editions. The authors are able to point to dramatic changes in and across generations and gender, especially regarding Catholic identity, commitment, parish life, and church authority. William V. D'Antonio, Michele Dillon, and Mary L. Gautier provide timely information pertaining to Catholics' views regarding current pressing issues in the Church, such as the priest shortage and alternative liturgical arrangements and same-sex marriage. The authors, also, provides the first full portrayal of how the growing numbers of Hispanic Catholics in the U.S. are changing the Church. Review American Catholics in Transition addresses what it means to identify as a Catholic in the United States in the contemporary period in a very engaging and thorough manner. The book is well written and filled with great detail based on findings and interpretations from survey data collected in 2011. . . . Publication of American Catholics in Transition could not have been more timely. If the authors continue their research in this area and present their findings in light of the Pope's challenge to the Church, one would expect an intriguing set of new data and interesting findings pertaining to perceptions, identity, commitment, and behavior of American Catholics. A very good database is developing that enables scholars to examine questions about religious life in America. The research and studies by D'Antonio, Dillon, and Gautier have made a significant contribution to the field, this book being the latest. American Catholics in Transition is as much about trends and the changing face of America as it is about Catholics. Sociologists, scholars in American Studies, gender studies, and ethnic studies will find this book loaded with rich detail and the analysis and interpretation to be compelling.--Contemporary Sociology American Catholics in Transition is a valuable resource for those working within the Catholic Church as well informed citizens asking: what is the state of the Catholic Church in the United States today? The book is most appropriate for college, university, and public libraries.--Catholic Library World American Catholics in Transition is an important and timely monograph for scholars of religion and social change; a useful tool for ministers in understanding the complexities of their congregations; and a model for the presentation and analysis of survey research. D'Antonio, Dillon, and Gautier not only review the trends of change and continuity among American Catholics, they also make sense of them and boldly point out critical issues related to the infrastructure and mission of the U.S. Catholic Church in the years to come.--Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review American Catholics in Transition presents findings from the most recent Catholics performed by sociologist William V. D'Antonio and collaborators. . . . The results of this latest survey, coupl