Hierarchie und Demokratie in der Kirche: eine empirische Untersuchung unter Theologiestudierenden
Questions of "hierarchy" and "democracy" in the Church present a problem that calls for our constant attention. How much democracy is good for the Church and how much hierarchy is necessary (par. 1)? In our contribution we first pursue the question in a theological sense and then...
| Published in: | Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | German |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Echter
1996
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| In: |
Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie
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| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Germany
/ Belgium
/ Netherlands
/ Hierarchy
/ Ecclesiology
/ Catholic church
/ Theology student
/ Empirical social research
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| IxTheo Classification: | AD Sociology of religion; religious policy KDB Roman Catholic Church NBN Ecclesiology RB Church office; congregation |
| Further subjects: | B
Hierarchy
B Church B Communio B People of God B Authority B Democracy |
| Parallel Edition: | Electronic
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| Summary: | Questions of "hierarchy" and "democracy" in the Church present a problem that calls for our constant attention. How much democracy is good for the Church and how much hierarchy is necessary (par. 1)? In our contribution we first pursue the question in a theological sense and then follow it up empirically. We report on a survey of first-semester students of theology in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands – what are their views on hierarchy and democracy in the Church? – With reference to the ecclesiological literature we first intend to show that ecclesiastical tradition does not provide a clear framework for the nature of church organization. We find hierarchical principles and the notion of participating in a community juxtaposed. In this respect the Second Vatican Council has formulated a compromise that can be used by representatives of the antithetical positions to justify their different views. We cannot deny that there is a certain "openness" in Catholic ecclesiology (par. 2). Given this openness, it is legitimate to ask, how that which has come into being will develop in future. Certain criteria are formulated for this critical process (par. 3). – The empirical part of the contribution concentrates on the views of students of theology relating to questions of church organization (par. 4). It will be seen that those interviewed make a clear and negative distinction between the concepts of "democracy" and "hierarchy" and that they are unambiguously in favour of a democratically orientated Church. Finally these findings are examined in relation to a number of pedagogical requirements of institutes of higher education. |
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| ISSN: | 0044-2895 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie
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