Communicating Catholicism

Rhetoric, Ecclesial Leadership, and the Future of the American Roman Catholic Diocese

Craig T. Maier

Fr. Thomas Reese has observed that American Catholic dioceses are simultaneously mysterious and essential to the institutional health and vitality of American Catholicism. In recent years, as American Catholicism increasingly finds itself embroiled in scandal and conflict, this mysteriousness has given way to feelings of suspicion, frustration, and even contempt. How can American dioceses navigate this complex and often hostile social, cultural, and political environment?

Several decades ago, J. Michael Sproule invited rhetorical and communication scholars to focus on institutions to increase our understanding of the profound role complex organizations play in contemporary life, assess the purpose and significance of communication in pursuit of their missions, and “give a human face to the otherwise institutional voice of corporate suasion.” Following Sproule, this book defines a new field called diocesan institutional rhetoric that strives to transform dioceses from structures characterized by closure and adversity into sites of hope-full, response-able, Spirit-led opportunity.

Today, rhetorical and communication issues emerge everywhere in American Catholicism. Drawing together relevant literature in Catholic theology, philosophy of communication, and corporate communication scholarship—as well as over twelve years’ experience working as a communication professional in a diocesan chancery—this book helps diocesan leaders, scholars, and observers to think differently and more fruitfully about the future of American Catholic ecclesial leadership.

University Press Copublishing Division / Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

Pages: 254 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-61147-961-4 • Hardback • September 2016 • $103.00 • (£79.00)

978-1-61147-962-1 • eBook • September 2016 • $93.00 • (£72.00)

Series: The Fairleigh Dickinson University Press Series in Communication Studies

Subjects: Religion / Christianity / Catholic, Religion / Christian Church / Administration, Religion / Christian Living / Leadership & Mentoring

Communicating Catholicism

Rhetoric, Ecclesial Leadership, and the Future of the American Roman Catholic Diocese

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Fr. Thomas Reese has observed that American Catholic dioceses are simultaneously mysterious and essential to the institutional health and vitality of American Catholicism. In recent years, as American Catholicism increasingly finds itself embroiled in scandal and conflict, this mysteriousness has given way to feelings of suspicion, frustration, and even contempt. How can American dioceses navigate this complex and often hostile social, cultural, and political environment?

Several decades ago, J. Michael Sproule invited rhetorical and communication scholars to focus on institutions to increase our understanding of the profound role complex organizations play in contemporary life, assess the purpose and significance of communication in pursuit of their missions, and “give a human face to the otherwise institutional voice of corporate suasion.” Following Sproule, this book defines a new field called diocesan institutional rhetoric that strives to transform dioceses from structures characterized by closure and adversity into sites of hope-full, response-able, Spirit-led opportunity.

Today, rhetorical and communication issues emerge everywhere in American Catholicism. Drawing together relevant literature in Catholic theology, philosophy of communication, and corporate communication scholarship—as well as over twelve years’ experience working as a communication professional in a diocesan chancery—this book helps diocesan leaders, scholars, and observers to think differently and more fruitfully about the future of American Catholic ecclesial leadership.

Details

University Press Copublishing Division / Fairleigh Dickinson University Press

Pages: 254 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-61147-961-4 • Hardback • September 2016 • $103.00 • (£79.00)

978-1-61147-962-1 • eBook • September 2016 • $93.00 • (£72.00)

Series: The Fairleigh Dickinson University Press Series in Communication Studies

Subjects: Religion / Christianity / Catholic, Religion / Christian Church / Administration, Religion / Christian Living / Leadership & Mentoring

Author

Craig T. Maier is assistant professor in the Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies at Duquesne University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Foreword: Rhetoric in the Catholic Church by Paul A. Soukup, S.J.
Introduction: The American Diocese in “Dark Times”

Part I: The Call of a Catholic Moment
Chapter One: The Rhetorical Challenge of Ecclesial Leadership
Chapter Two: Framing Diocesan Institutional Rhetoric
Chapter Three: The Corporate Historical Responsibility of Ecclesial Leadership

Part II: The Response of Ecclesial Leadership
Chapter Four: The Historicity of a Catholic Moment
Chapter Five: Chapter Five: Diocesan Institutional Rhetoric and Administrative Play
Chapter Six: The Joy of Ecclesial Leadership
Conclusion: Diocesan Institutional Rhetoric and the Culture of Encounter

References
Index
About the Author

Reviews

Communicating Catholicism: Rhetoric, Ecclesial Leadership, and the Future of the American Roman Catholic Diocese is an extraordinary, definitive, and comprehensive work that adheres to rigorous standards of scholarship and is an impressive, seminal contribution that is very highly recommended for seminary and academic library collections in general, and Roman Catholic Church supplemental studies reading lists in particular.
— Midwest Book Review

Through an American lens, Maier examines the Church’s unique position of fulfilling an unchanging supernatural commission of world-wide evangelization, in a constantly changing natural world.... In the case studies, Maier dissects each event and offers a critique and analysis of what went wrong and what went right.... Any diocesan communicator will be able to identify with these situations and perhaps be inspired to consider adopting a new, ongoing strategy of sophisticated diocesan institutional rhetoric, to prepare for the next ‘crisis’, which will soon come.
— Church, Communication and Culture