American Catholics

Reviews / Votes

Whether you are a pastoral leader or a 'person in the pews,' American Catholics will help you understand the complexities of Catholic life in the third millennium. This study of attitudes, beliefs and trends is a needed resource for responsible pastoral initiatives based on intelligent use of these rich data. Surprising findings await readers of this important new book. I couldn't put it down. -- Dolores R. Leckey, Senior Fellow, Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University Former Director of the Secretariat for Laity, Family, Women This book provides an essential portrait of American Catholicism at the turn of the third millennium. -- Sheila Briggs, (University of Southern California) Conscience This work is especially helpful in the skillful way the accumulated data is put in the context of today's Church. The Cara Report This a well-conceived study of American Roman Catholics whose Catholic identity, in nature and extent, has changed or is in the process of transformation... The text is well written and liberally supported with tables and figures displaying the findings, often comparing the results of the three surveys. The book is written not only for the professional sociologist, but is also readily understandable to nonsociologists, while still holding its own under academic scrutiny. -- Loretta M. Morris, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion American Catholics is an excellent summary and extension of the research of four of the top sociologists currently studying Catholicism in the United States. As such, it would be useful to several audiences... Overall, this is an excellent book that fulfills its primary aim of summarizing some two decades of research on Catholic opinion for the audience that could most benefit from this knowledge. In the process, it also highlights some new issues that will be fruitful areas of research in the years to come. I look forward to the reports of additional studies by these authors in the future, as they continue to mine the riches of these data. -- Patricia Wittberg, (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis) Contemporary Sociology The authors provide important information about American Catholics and their attitude shifts over multiple generations... By examining key elements of the American Catholics' belief system, along with Catholics' level of commitment to the Church, the researchers have been able to provide critical insight into current and possible future trends. Overall, this book is an important compilation of national data that will, among others, serve Catholics, laypersons and the academic community... The book is informative and easily interpretable at every level of investigation which will help to popularize its important message. -- Kevin Breault and Terri R. Terrell, Middle Tennessee State University Catholic Issues For anyone teaching and doing research on the American Catholic Church, this is an indispensable book. -- Susan A. Farrell, CUNY Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review