Transition From Vowed To Lay Ministry In American Catholism

In the Second Vatican Council's Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World in 1965, the faithful were called upon to engage in society and bring justice to it, rather than withdraw from it. This, and the change in the number and nature of vowed religious, has led to changes in expectations and execution of ministry. Working from their research among past and present members of religious communities, Blasi (sociology, Tennessee State U.) and collaborator Joseph F. Zimmerman (Assessment Research Officer, Quincy U.) look for clear indications of who is doing the work of the ministry, and the implications for those called to serve in the future. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)