Bennett, Oliver, 1950-. (2011) Strategic canonisation : sanctity, popular culture and the Catholic Church. International Journal of Cultural Policy, Vol.17 (No.4). pp. 438-455. ISSN 1028-6632

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Abstract

In his twenty-seven year reign (1978-2005), Pope John Paul II created not only more saints than any other pope in history, but also more saints than all the other popes put together since Pope Urban VIII centralised control of saint-making in 1634. This article argues that the elevation of ‘celebrity saints’, such as Padre Pio and Mother Theresa, can be seen as an attempt on the part of the Catholic Church to strengthen its presence within the arena of popular culture. Through a sustained programme of ‘strategic canonization’, John Paul II promoted models of sanctity that conveyed very clear social and political messages. Such messages were amplified through extensive Catholic media and, where ‘celebrity saints’ were involved, through the secular media too. These processes are analysed first, in relation to the general area of sexual politics; and secondly, to the Church’s historic relationship with Nazism. Whilst John Paul’s programme may not have achieved all that it intended, it clearly demonstrated the Catholic Church’s unique capacity to reinvent very old forms of cultural policy for changing times.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts > Theatre, Performance and Cultural Policy Studies > Centre for Cultural Policy Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Religion and culture, Catholic Church, John Paul II, Pope, 1920-2005, Canonization, Popular culture -- Religious aspects, Celebrities -- Religious aspects
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Cultural Policy
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	1028-6632
Date:	16 August 2011
Volume:	Vol.17
Number:	No.4
Page Range:	pp. 438-455
Identification Number:	10.1080/10286632.2010.544726
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/37699

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