Abortion and Catholicism in Britain: Attitudes, Lived Religion and Complexity

Page, Sarah-Jane; Lowe, Pam

Abstract

This book details how British Catholic communities view abortion, highlighting the diversity of positions which often contrast with the official line of Catholic Church doctrine. The authors’ extensive qualitative investigation involving various Catholic constituents demonstrates the complex ways attitudes are formed. Based on interviews with priests, Catholic parishioners, anti-abortion activists and Catholics living in close proximity to activism, this book takes a lived religion approach to argue that attitudes and approaches to abortion are nuanced and contextual, with the Catholic concept of individual conscience playing a fundamental role in navigating abortion issues. Ultimately, this investigation helps to explore in much greater depth the increased liberalisation in attitudes among Catholics towards abortion, at a time when Catholic activism opposing abortion is growing, and therefore shines a light on the conflicts that are apparent at the heart of Catholic parishes. Thisbook will be of interest to scholars in Gender and Sexuality Studies, Sociology, Theology and Religious Studies.

Citation

Page, S.-J., & Lowe, P. (2024). Abortion and Catholicism in Britain: Attitudes, Lived Religion and Complexity. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54692-1

• Book Type: Authored Book
• Online Publication Date: Apr 21, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: May 21, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 22, 2026
• Publisher: Springer
• Series Title: Palgrave Studies in Lived Religion and Societal Challenges
• Book Title: Palgrave Studies in Lived Religion and Societal Challenges
• ISBN: 9783031546914
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54692-1
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/35148358
• Related Public URLs: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-54692-1
• Additional Information: hardback isbn
• Contract Date: Dec 9, 2023