The Transformation of Religious Orders in Central and Eastern Europe : Sociological Insights

The first volume to explore various facets of contemporary change in consecrated religious life in selected Central and Eastern European countries, this book presents a series of studies of Catholic and Orthodox monasticism.With attention to changes in the economy, everyday life, organisation and social presence of monastic orders, contributors shed light on the impact of 20th and 21st century social and cultural processes – such as communism and its collapse or the growth of new communication technologies – on life in the cloister.Bringing together research from various locations in Central and Eastern Europe, it will appeal to scholars and students of sociology, religious studies and theology, with interests in religious orders and transformations of religious life from a social perspective. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Figures Tables Contributors 1. Introduction Acknowledgements Notes References 2. Changes in religious life since the 1970s in quantitative terms - situation in the CEE countries in the context of global transformations Introduction Global perspective European perspective Changes in Central and Eastern European countries Changes in the number of religious - explanatory hypotheses Conclusions Notes References 3. Clericalisation and the search for identity in Roman Catholic religious institutes in Poland at the turn of the 21st century Between a religious brother and a priest: historical format and contemporary challenges Institutional perspective on being a religious brother and a religious priest From unrest to decision - the situation of religious brothers in Poland since the 1960s Cast study of a Cistercian community in Jędrzejów Conclusion Notes References 4. Female religious congregations in Poland in the face of changes from Communism to the transformation period (1945-2000) Introduction In the Communist state Religious life in the democratic state Conclusion Notes References 5. The economy of Polish monasteries: Between the charismatic and routinisation stage Material and methodology Short presentation of monasteries studied Characteristics of the economy of monasteries in Poland Economy and monasticism: a general introduction The specific situation of Polish monasteries in post-communist Europe Economy of Polish monasteries: factors of quotidianisation Forms of economy and work in Polish monasteries Work-prayer balance in monastic life An economy based on pastoral activities: monastic religious goods Identifying economic products in Polish monasteries? Between the charismatic and routinisation stage A new orientation in monastic activities: return to the monastery Conclusion Notes References 6. The reinvention of tradition: The moral economy of monastic life in the Czech Republic Introduction Theory: moral economy enlarged Methodology: research on the dialogical relationship between the monastic and other worlds The outside world(s) The monastic worlds Monasteries: presentation of three selected places Břevnov Monastery Broumov Monastery Venio Community (Komunita Venio) Regions of contact Monasteries as cultural heritage Excultured perception of monasteries Administration of cultural monuments as the starting point for new relations Břevnov: the monastery as a public space Venio Community: administration of a cultural monument as a spiritual vocation Monastic economy Innovativeness Patrimonialism and stewardship of the region Spirit of enterprise Innovation of monastic values and spiritualities Openness and humanity: a place for meeting Meditation and culture: a place for new spirituality Summary: Is monasticism the means for a sustainable life? Conclusion Notes References 7. New Monastic Communities in Poland Introduction New and traditional monasticism - a dialectical relationship NMCs suffer from monasticism's lack of socialisation NMCs initiate 'do-it-yourself' experiments NMCs create a terrain for theological, spiritual and political experimentation within monasticism NMCs advocate a new Catholic sensitivity The Monastic Fraternity of Jerusalem from France to Poland Innovation, re-interpretation and rejection - sacred creativity in reinventing tradition Innovation - mixité Re-interpretation Rejection: being in osmosis with the world New Monastic Communities - struggling for innovation in Poland Conclusion Notes References 8. The presence of religious orders in Hungarian society Introduction Materials and methods Research on the vocation of male and female members of religious orders in Hungary Research methods Obstacles to full-scope planned researches Results Social background of the members of religious orders Where were they from? Types of settlement Parents' educational level Religious' educational level Vocational choice and religiosity, family support Parental religiosity Family acceptance of religious vocation Summary: the social background of members of religious orders The reality of religious communities today Age cohorts Change of generation in governance and difficulties Discussion Conclusion References 9. Orthodox monasteries as pilgrimage sites in contemporary Russia Introduction Monasteries in contemporary Russia Monasteries as multipurpose locations Pilgrimages to monasteries: forms and functions Materials and methods Discussion Acknowledgements Notes References Index Introduction / Marcin Jewdokimow, Isabelle Jonveaux, Stefania Palmisano -- Changes in religious life since the 1970s in quantitative terms : situation in the CEE countries in the context of global transformations / Marcin Jewdokimow -- Clericalisation and search for identity in Roman Catholic religious institutions / Wojciech Sadlon and Isabelle Jonveaux -- Female religious congregations in Poland in the face of changes from communism to the transformation period (1945-2000) / Agata Mirek -- The economy of Polish monasteries : between the charismatic and routinisation stage / Isabelle Jonveaux -- The reinvention of tradition: the moral economy of monastic life in the Czech Republic / Barbora Spalová, Marek Liška and Tereza Picková -- New monastic communities in Poland / Stefania Palmisano -- The presence of religious orders in Hungarian society / Edit Márta Révay -- Orthodox monasteries as pilgrimage sites in contemporary Russia / Kseniya Medvedeva "The first volume to explore various facets of contemporary change in consecrated religious life in selected central and eastern European countries, this book presents a series of studies of Catholic and Orthodox monasticism. With attention to changes in the economy, everyday life, organization, and social presence of monastic orders, contributors shed light on the impact of 20th and 21st century social and cultural processes - such as communism and its collapse, or the growth of new communication technologies - on life in the cloister. Bringing together research from various locations in central and eastern Europe, it will appeal to scholars and students of sociology, religious studies and theology, with interests in religious orders and transformations of religious life from a social perspective"-- Provided by publisher The first volume to explore various facets of contemporary change in consecrated religious life in selected central and eastern European countries, this book presents a series of studies of Catholic and Orthodox monasticism, with attention to the impact of modern social and cultural processes on life in the cloister.