Women in the Vanishing Cloister

Religious orders for women have existed for fifteen centuries but their future in the United States is bleak. In 1966, 180,000 women belonged to Catholic orders; by 1986 that number had decreased to 126,000. Ebaugh tells the story of the decline of these orders, set against the backdrop of rapid social change and religious reform.

To illustrate the problem, Ebaugh takes us into a declining order, here called the Sisters of Service. In 1990, only one candidate sought admission to the order and the median age of members reached seventy. While these demographic changes were occurring, the sisters adapted themselves to the reforms of Vatican II. The concept of a cloistered life faded. Nuns sought college degrees, gave up their distinctive dress, moved into apartments, and began to feel part of the outside world.

Ebaugh shows how declining orders have not followed the sociological model of organizational decline-one typically marked by centralized authority, a fear of risk taking, lack of direction, internal conflicts over turf, and low morale. Rather, they have established democratic structures, reduced internal positions in favor of committing resources to empowering the poor, minimized conflicts over scarce resources, and exhibited a sense of freedom rather than poor morale.

Although Ebaugh is convinced that Catholic orders in the United States are in rapid decline, noncanonical communities of women and associate programs are growing. Dedicated women can perpetuate the mission and spirit of the order without becoming vowed members.



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