Catholicism and Social Change in the Netherlands: A Case of Radical Secularization?

This paper evaluates John Coleman's application of a particular version of secularization theory to Catholicism in the Netherlands. Recent research findings show that many changes in Dutch Catholicism in the last 15 years do not fit Coleman's model. The emerging pattern of radical secularization is linked to aspects of the preceding "pillarized" social structure and certain sociocultural changes facing the church. Instead of consolidation of a successfully differentiated denomination, evidence suggests, further cultural and structural attrition can be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]