Prêtres catholiques en Europe occidentale au XXIe siècle. Aperçu de publications actuelles

Join-Lambert, Arnaud [UCL]

Abstract. — The Diocesan priest was a main figure of Western society from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Contemporary religious transformations affect him directly, upsetting his living and working conditions, and even his identity. Throughout Europe, managing these transformations and the decline of personal resources (whether or not one is ordained) has led to publications on the subject, by both sociologists and theologians. Many texts treat the priest himself without first situating them within a more general ecclesiological context including a theology of the people of God. There have been three major responses to the crisis: a laborious update, according to Vatican II, an explicit or subtle avoidance, and an identity withdrawal. In the above, I will present 22 books and published journals, published between 2007 and 2011. A brief summary will then allow different perspectives to be presented.