Content area
Full Text
Abstract
This paper reflects, from a sociological perspective, on the nature of authority in the Church and on the modes of governance and character of the internal self-organisation of the institution of Roman Catholicism. Historically there are no restrictions to democratisation of the Catholic church. On the other hand, at the time of a credibility crisis the necessity for accountability strengthens the trend towards wider forms of democracy. The efficiency and integrity of Catholicism demand transparency of structures and accountability of leaders, who have frequently, especially in Ireland, failed in their supervision by mishandling and covering up abuse cases.
Keywords: democracy, religion, Catholic church, abuse, sexual scandals, accountability
Slowa kluczowe: demokracja, religia, Kosciól katolicki, naduzycia, skandale seksualne, odpowiedzialnosc
In substance, the Catholic Church takes a neutral line on forms of state regime. The primordial and later on institutional Catholicism has made its way under various types of empires, absolute or constitutional monarchies, feudal systems, and even totalitarian regimes. Politics and formation of social order are not focal goals of Catholicism, but its religious mission, or function and communication, as Niklas Luhmann argues, come first1.
Consequently, no system of governance is intrinsically good or bad in itself, unless a political order is suitable for a development of human religious life. At the social (and ethical) level hence it is a question of whether the instruments of power are exercised for the common good. Since the beginning of systematic Catholic social ethics in the late nineteenth century, however, the Church has moved increasingly closer to asserting that democracy not only is consistent with the principle of the common good but is the best known system of transferring power, it promotes the participation of citizens in political life, "guarantees to the governed the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them"2. In general, democracy is recognised as a device of empowerment to 'subjectivity' of society while it strengthens and expands structures of participation, sense of belonging, and collective responsibility. Democratic system allows the fullest application of the principle of people's sovereignty3. Nonetheless, a democratic political system is applicable only externally, to a state or other form of social structure but under no circumstances internally, as a mean of organizational model to the institutional church...