Sin in the Sixties: Catholic and Confession 1955-1975
Friday, January 20, 2017
About The Event
Confession reached its peak attendance in the early 1950s, but by the end of the Second
Vatican Council, the popularity of the sacrament plummeted. Explaining this shift
is the goal of Dr. Maria Morrow's new book, Sin in the Sixties: Catholics and Confession 1955-1975 (Catholic University of America
Press, 2016). Morrow argues that even though this decline has often been noted by historians,
theologians, priests, and laity alike, little attention has been paid to another dramatic
shift: changes to non-sacramental penitential practices, including Lenten fasting,
Ember Days, and the year-round Friday meat abstinence.
About the Author
Maria Morrow received her Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Dayton in 2013.
For the past two years, Dr. Morrow has taught an online version of The Search for
Human Fulfillment for the program in Catholic Studies. She resides in New Jersey with
her five children (the sixth due to arrive in April) and her husband Jeffrey L. Morrow,
who is an associate professor in the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University.
About Catholic Studies
The Catholic Studies program at Seton Hall offers an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum for students
of any creed who are interested in deepening their knowledge of Catholicism's rich
intellectual tradition and living heritage. Combining the study of history, philosophy,
theology, literature, art, sociology, and other disciplines, Catholic Studies focuses
on the church's dialogue with culture and encounter with the world. Students interested
in Catholic Studies have the option to pursue a major, minor, or certificate that
complements and enhances the university's other degree programs and fields of study.
For more information, please contact Gloria Aroneo at [email protected] or (973)-275-2808
