The Coming Catholic Church: How the Faithful Are Shaping a New American Catholicism

David Gibson

HarperCollins, Jun 29, 2004 - Social Science - 366 pages

David Gibson presents a look at the impact of the sexual abuse scandals on the Catholic Church and how they have set off a revolution from below that is galvanizing North America's rank-and-file Catholics to bring positive changes to their Church. In this sweeping assessment of where the Church has been, and where it is going, David Gibson uses his insider's knowledge and sources to reveal the forces that are already transforming Catholicism--from the laity to the besieged priesthood to the papacy itself. Laypeople, especially women, are taking larger roles in Church life as the number of priests continues to decline. Priests are redefining their calling as scandals and shortages spark changes not seen in a thousand years, including new openings for married priests. Bishops, under fire from every quarter, are struggling to reimagine how the Church can be governed, while the College of Cardinals are waging an intense--and increasingly public--debate over how the next papacy will be different from the current one. In The coming Catholic Church David Gibson examines the disputes that have polarized Catholicism and focuses on the new forces that are currently bringing Catholics together. From Church governance at the parish level and the selection of bishops to the way Catholics now view the rule of Rome, Gibson explains the transformations coming through both a revolution from below and an impending change at the top of the Church.

What people are saying

Review: The Coming Catholic Church: How the Faithful Are Shaping a New American Catholicism

User Review  - Marguerite - Goodreads

I like the take of this convert to Catholicism and think the book is well-researched, even with its ambitious scope. The chapter on clericalism is especially on-target. I just don't feel the same ...

Review: The Coming Catholic Church

User Review  - Reed Business Information.

Not another entry in the Catholic Church "scandal" genre, this is instead a prophetic statement about evolving Catholicism that emphasizes the possibilities latent within the current crisis-ridden ...

About the author

David Gibson is an award-winning religion writer and a committed lay Catholic. He writes about Catholicism for various newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, Boston magazine, Fortune, Commonweal, and America. He was the religion writer for the The Star-Ledger of New Jersey. Gibson has worked in Rome for Vatican Radio and traveled frequently with Pope John Paul II. He has co-written several recent documentaries on Christianity for CNN.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Coming Catholic Church: How the Faithful Are Shaping a New American Catholicism
• Author: David Gibson
• Edition: revised
• Publisher: HarperCollins, 2004
• ISBN: 0060587202, 9780060587208
• Length: 366 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Christianity / Catholic; Religion / Christianity / History; Religion / Institutions & Organizations; Social Science / Sociology of Religion