Publication Details
Hine, G.
(2011).
Book Review: Paul Collins, Believers: Does Australian Catholicism Have a Future?, University of New South Wales Press, 2008.
Catholic Education: a journal of inquiry and practice, 14, 271-273.
Abstract
The text Believers: Does Australian Catholicism Have a Future? explores the historical, contemporary, and present role of Roman Catholicism within Australian society. Central to six engaging, challenging, and perhaps controversial chapters is the question: “Is the Church in a state of decline within Australia?” In his book Paul Collins highlights certain aspects of Australian culture and society that have flourished due to the influence of the Church, and critically examines some factors attributed to the apparent “failure” of Catholicism to permeate this same culture fully. Despite his criticism of the localized Church, the author remains optimistic for the future of Roman Catholicism in Australia.
Keywords
Peer-reviewed
