The Approachableness of U.S. Catholic Bishops as Perceived by Priests

  • PDF / 383,132 Bytes
  • 16 Pages / 439.37 x 666.142 pts Page_size
  • 47 Downloads / 165 Views

DOWNLOAD

REPORT


The Approachableness of U.S. Catholic Bishops as Perceived by Priests Michael N. Kane 1 & Robin J. Jacobs 2 Accepted: 5 November 2020/ # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020

Abstract

United States Catholic priests were randomly sampled to learn about their perceptions of the approachability of bishops. Respondents believed that bishops were only moderately approachable. Six predictor variables were included in the final backward multiple regression analysis (adjusted R2 = .85, F = 125.447, p < .001) to identify the variables that predicted perceptions of bishops’ approachability. Predictor variables were (1) My Bishop Values Priests, (2) I Am Valued by My Bishop, (3) My Bishop’s Use of Power, (4) Most Bishops Desire Power, and (5) Most Bishops Engage in Respectful Leadership. A final variable that approached significance was retained in the final model (Priests’ Understanding of Dual Relationships, p = .067). Respondents were more likely to believe that most bishops were approachable if they felt valued by their bishop and if they believed that bishops engaged in respectful leadership. Respondents were less likely to believe that most bishops were approachable if they believed that bishops were concerned with their power and control over priests. Implications for mental health and pastoral care practitioners who interact with Catholic priests are offered. Keywords Catholic priests . Bishops . Power . Leadership Catholic priests in the United States were asked to provide their perceptions about Catholic bishops and their approachability. This study sought to better understand how priests viewed the approachability of bishops in relation to how bishops value priests, how bishops use their power, how bishops are concerned with their power, bishops’ knowledge of dual relationships, and bishops’ use of respectful leadership.

* Michael N. Kane [email protected]; [email protected]

1

School of Social Work, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road – SO 302, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991, USA

2

College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Pastoral Psychology

The relationship of bishop to priest in the Catholic Church Leadership in the Catholic Church is hierarchical. While the pope of Rome may be the visible head of the Catholic Church, the governance of the local church rests with a local bishop, archbishop, or cardinal of a diocese or archdiocese. Local bishops and archbishops exercise complete control of personnel and assets in their territory. Priests are part of the diocese’s personnel and are subordinate to their bishop. Bishops are immensely powerful in their territory and wield significant authority over priests. The subordination of priests to a bishop finds its justification in theology. Priests receive a parish assignment with a salary and health care benefits only if permitted by the local bishop. Theologically, the relationship of a priest to his bishop has been portrayed as one of dependence and obedience (The Catechism of the Catholic