Religion as a Profession

This volume offers a conceptual and empirical study of the religious profession. It takes as its point of departure professionalisation theory that is discussed and applied to a profession in mainstream religion, in this case Dutch Catholic ministry. The book entails a well-documented empirical study of attitudes of clergy and lay personnel in the Dutch Roman-Catholic Church regarding the pastoral profession. Their attitudes towards church authority, apostolicity, sacramental efficacy, accession to the office, and spiritual role are described extensively. The research clarifies the extent to which these religious attitudes act as a positive or negative motif to engage in policies that are aimed at a professional development of the occupation. The book offers an excellent insight into basic characteristics of a religious profession.