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Mass Exodus: Catholic Disaffiliation in Britain and America since Vatican II

Description:

Of those raised Catholic, just 13% still attend Mass weekly, and 37% say they have 'no religion'. But is this all the fault of Vatican II, and its runaway reforms? Or are wider social, cultural, and moral forces primarily to blame?

In 1962, Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council with the prophecy that 'a new day is dawning on the Church, bathing her in radiant splendour'. Desiring 'to impart an ever increasing vigour to the Christian life of the faithful', the Council Fathers devoted particular attention to the laity, and set in motion a series of sweeping reforms. The most significant of these centred on refashioning the Church's liturgy--'the source and summit of the Christian life'--in order to make 'it pastorally efficacious to the fullest degree'.

Over fifty years on, however, the statistics speak for themselves. In America, only 15% of cradle Catholics say that they attend Mass on a weekly basis; meanwhile, 35% no longer even tick the 'Catholic box' on surveys. In Britain, the signs are direr still. Catholicism is not the only Christian group to have suffered serious declines since the 1960s. If anything Catholics exhibit higher church attendance, and better retention, than most Protestant churches do. If Vatican II is not the cause of Catholicism's crisis, might it instead be the secret to its comparative success?

Mass Exodus is the first serious historical and sociological study of Catholic lapsation and disaffiliation. Drawing on a wide range of theological, historical, and sociological sources, Stephen Bullivant offers a comparative study of secularization across two famously contrasting religious cultures: Britain and the USA.
Read more

Review

For anyone interested in the history of the Council and its aftermath, this is an indispensable book. The writer's engaging style -- with occasional delightful humorous asides -- makes even potentially dry chapters of sociological analysis quite readable. ― Rev. Gavan Jennings, Position Papers

Mass Exodus, wide-ranging and provocative, will likely challenge readers to square their own narrative regarding the Council's responsibility for Catholic decline with Bullivant's analysis. Bullivant's essential conviction that these important questions deserve a skilled and simultaneous social scientific and theological interpretation is a worthy one, and crucial for the future of these conversations. ― Tom Beaudoin, Fordham University, American Catholic Studies

This is a timely publication. It should be required reading for those genuinely interested in the religious health of the Catholic community. It should also be required reading for sociologists of religion more broadly, and perhaps journalists interested in the evolution of ideas in society. ― Leonardo Franchi, Innes Review

This is a major book about Catholic decline because it provides basic statistics about disaffiliation, reasons about people leaving, and factors contributing to the mass exodus over the last decades. ― Pierre Hegy, Adelphi University, Catholic Books Review

This is an important work demonstrating that the Catholic Church is indeed in a state of unprecedented crisis, written from a sociological and historical perspective. ― Pravin Thevathasan, Catholic Medical Quarterly

This is a cogent, well argued and well researched book which I would thoroughly recommend to all parish clergy and to those who take their faith seriously. It gives a truly scholarly and much deeper background to the decline in attendance in the Catholic Church in the last seventy years than any one other book so far published. ― Rev D N J-M Bayliss

Professor Bullivant's "social-scientific" account of the state of the Catholic Church is a welcome contrast to the partisan antagonisms of Catholic journalism and pulpit prejudice. ― John Cornwell, Financial Times

About the Author

Stephen Bullivant is Professor of Theology and the Sociology of Religion at St Mary's University, London. He is Director of the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society. An award-winning scholar, Bullivant's research and teaching interests are wide-ranging and interdisciplinary. Most notably, they include several areas of Catholic theology, and the social-scientific study of religion and atheism/secularity. His publications include The Oxford Dictionary of Atheism (co-authored with Lois Lee; 2016), The Oxford Handbook of Atheism (co-edited with Michael Ruse; 2016), The Trinity: How Not to Be a Heretic (2015), and The Salvation of Atheists and Catholic Dogmatic Theology (2012).

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating social history

p. · 7 March 2025

A very interesting book. The statistical analysis of polling data can be a little dry. However, the middle section, providing historical context on the before, during and after of the council are very interesting. To be recommended for all those interested in the history of Vatican II or the liturgical reform

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book

K.C. · 12 August 2021

Used this for an essay. Well researched and written.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking….

P.W. · 15 July 2025

Excellent read

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating

o. · 30 August 2020

A most interesting study which offers plenty of reasons for the exodus and the on going problems of the Church.essential reading!

5.0 out of 5 stars A rejoinder to Sedevacantism and remarkably prescient

S. · 22 March 2021

Primarily, a member of another liberal denomination I might not have been the target audience of this work. In the opening chapters the names of Papal encyclicals with Latin tags and sections on Canon law were unfamiliar terrirory. However, I persevered mainly due to the witty pop culture references. This is however a multidisciplinarary work and you do not need a theology degree to get something out of it.Secondly, the sections on the demographic analysis of Catholic disaffiliation seemed more familiar to me as a former student of polictical science. There is a read across to a term in voting behaviour called partizan dealignment. A similar sociological methodology could be used to explain phenomena such as the dealignment and realignment of the Trump Democrat in the USA, Labour to UKIP and Brexit Conservative switching in Northern England and the displacement of Labour by the SNP in Scotland. In fact similar people are probably involved in both phenomena. The author is likely aware of the possible critique that if we learned anything from 2020, groups like "Latino" and "Hispanic" need greater disaggregation. As we observed Cuban Americans in Florida are very different from Mexican Americans in Arizona.Thirdly, it is important to note that this is an academic work that observes a phenomenon objectively. The sad stories about child abuse and the well know Humanae Vite controversies are not overlooked. Some of the "recovering Catholics" mentioned have indeed come through the doors of my liberal denomination and I would happily supply this book to them as a way of understanding what happened in their personal stories as part of a wider trends. Whilst the conclusions about buildings and litergical reform are nuanced it gives little succour to ultra conservatives who see Vatican II as a cause of the church's downfall- such as Sedevacantists and some Tridentine Mass enthusiasts.Finally I think the final section towards the end which discusses The Benedict Option and how the "rise of social media is perfectly ecumenical in fostering relativism and nonreligiosity" is remarkably prescient. A book written and published in 2019 could not have forseen the extraordinary impact an accelerated uptake in online church in 2020 could have on a denomination so rooted in physical buildings, blessed sacraments and linking churches to schools and social capital based on locality. I will be very interested to see how Professor Bullivant addresses this in his subsequent work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and challengjng

G. · 24 June 2019

Great read

Great book, three books in one

B.M. · 23 January 2023

The author is the cutting edge in the sociology of religion. The first reading presents a subtle analysis of a very complicated topic that most people get wrong. The second reading is required not only to understand the material, but to enjoy British terms like 'lie-in' that pepper the book. Finally, a third pass is needed for the footnotes that are enjoyable and informative on there own.The only flaw is that the author leads the reader up to implied solutions but leaves these to the reader's imagination. I personally would like to see the rest of the trilogy.

Balanced

N. · 1 February 2021

This book gives a great balanced treatment of the topic. He does not do away with cultural trends nor does he simply say that everything is Vatican II's fault. He has many distinctions and brings out some great stats. A lot to learn from this academic work!

A Sociological Study

D.T.M. · 3 August 2019

The author presents a sociological study of the losses to established Churches in the US and the UK. The book reads as if it were the rendering of some doctoral thesis containing details of numbers of people leaving and categories chosen to reflect the loss.Overall the book is a difficult read. If you expected some discussion on Vatican II and its aftermath you may be disappointed. On the other hand if you are looking for numbers and tables you may find this of some use. The difficulty that one has today, however, is the ability to project limited data into overall population statistics. People seem less willing to assist the interrogators with correct answer, if such were even possible.The author states that he is a recent convert to Catholicism and thus unlike those educated before Vatican II may not have seen the total impact. The change in the Liturgy, which the author refers to, was dramatically more significant than the meat on Friday ban. If one were to come from 1960 in a time machine to the present, a Catholic could not have the slightest idea that they were in a Catholic Church. The Vatican in its wisdom destroyed the universal presentation and reduced it to local customs. Perhaps it was the intent to filter out those who disagreed, the author's statistics seem to confirm that.Overall I found the book quite difficult to read. I had expected something quite different and if you want to wade through the numbers and tables you may find some comfort. If on the other hand you are looking for understanding of why many are leaving, this leaves me at least unsatisfied.

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Mass Exodus: Catholic Disaffiliation in Britain and America since Vatican II

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4.6

(53 ratings)

AED17436

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Visit the OUP Oxford Store

Mass Exodus: Catholic Disaffiliation in Britain and America since Vatican II

Product ID: K0198866755
Condition: New

4.6

(53 ratings)
Mass Exodus: Catholic Disaffiliation in Britain and America since Vatican II-0
Type: Paperback

AED17436

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United Kingdom

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

Of those raised Catholic, just 13% still attend Mass weekly, and 37% say they have 'no religion'. But is this all the fault of Vatican II, and its runaway reforms? Or are wider social, cultural, and moral forces primarily to blame?

In 1962, Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council with the prophecy that 'a new day is dawning on the Church, bathing her in radiant splendour'. Desiring 'to impart an ever increasing vigour to the Christian life of the faithful', the Council Fathers devoted particular attention to the laity, and set in motion a series of sweeping reforms. The most significant of these centred on refashioning the Church's liturgy--'the source and summit of the Christian life'--in order to make 'it pastorally efficacious to the fullest degree'.

Over fifty years on, however, the statistics speak for themselves. In America, only 15% of cradle Catholics say that they attend Mass on a weekly basis; meanwhile, 35% no longer even tick the 'Catholic box' on surveys. In Britain, the signs are direr still. Catholicism is not the only Christian group to have suffered serious declines since the 1960s. If anything Catholics exhibit higher church attendance, and better retention, than most Protestant churches do. If Vatican II is not the cause of Catholicism's crisis, might it instead be the secret to its comparative success?

Mass Exodus is the first serious historical and sociological study of Catholic lapsation and disaffiliation. Drawing on a wide range of theological, historical, and sociological sources, Stephen Bullivant offers a comparative study of secularization across two famously contrasting religious cultures: Britain and the USA.
Read more

Review

For anyone interested in the history of the Council and its aftermath, this is an indispensable book. The writer's engaging style -- with occasional delightful humorous asides -- makes even potentially dry chapters of sociological analysis quite readable. ― Rev. Gavan Jennings, Position Papers

Mass Exodus, wide-ranging and provocative, will likely challenge readers to square their own narrative regarding the Council's responsibility for Catholic decline with Bullivant's analysis. Bullivant's essential conviction that these important questions deserve a skilled and simultaneous social scientific and theological interpretation is a worthy one, and crucial for the future of these conversations. ― Tom Beaudoin, Fordham University, American Catholic Studies

This is a timely publication. It should be required reading for those genuinely interested in the religious health of the Catholic community. It should also be required reading for sociologists of religion more broadly, and perhaps journalists interested in the evolution of ideas in society. ― Leonardo Franchi, Innes Review

This is a major book about Catholic decline because it provides basic statistics about disaffiliation, reasons about people leaving, and factors contributing to the mass exodus over the last decades. ― Pierre Hegy, Adelphi University, Catholic Books Review

This is an important work demonstrating that the Catholic Church is indeed in a state of unprecedented crisis, written from a sociological and historical perspective. ― Pravin Thevathasan, Catholic Medical Quarterly

This is a cogent, well argued and well researched book which I would thoroughly recommend to all parish clergy and to those who take their faith seriously. It gives a truly scholarly and much deeper background to the decline in attendance in the Catholic Church in the last seventy years than any one other book so far published. ― Rev D N J-M Bayliss

Professor Bullivant's "social-scientific" account of the state of the Catholic Church is a welcome contrast to the partisan antagonisms of Catholic journalism and pulpit prejudice. ― John Cornwell, Financial Times

About the Author

Stephen Bullivant is Professor of Theology and the Sociology of Religion at St Mary's University, London. He is Director of the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society. An award-winning scholar, Bullivant's research and teaching interests are wide-ranging and interdisciplinary. Most notably, they include several areas of Catholic theology, and the social-scientific study of religion and atheism/secularity. His publications include The Oxford Dictionary of Atheism (co-authored with Lois Lee; 2016), The Oxford Handbook of Atheism (co-edited with Michael Ruse; 2016), The Trinity: How Not to Be a Heretic (2015), and The Salvation of Atheists and Catholic Dogmatic Theology (2012).

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating social history

p. · 7 March 2025

A very interesting book. The statistical analysis of polling data can be a little dry. However, the middle section, providing historical context on the before, during and after of the council are very interesting. To be recommended for all those interested in the history of Vatican II or the liturgical reform

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book

K.C. · 12 August 2021

Used this for an essay. Well researched and written.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking….

P.W. · 15 July 2025

Excellent read

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating

o. · 30 August 2020

A most interesting study which offers plenty of reasons for the exodus and the on going problems of the Church.essential reading!

5.0 out of 5 stars A rejoinder to Sedevacantism and remarkably prescient

S. · 22 March 2021

Primarily, a member of another liberal denomination I might not have been the target audience of this work. In the opening chapters the names of Papal encyclicals with Latin tags and sections on Canon law were unfamiliar terrirory. However, I persevered mainly due to the witty pop culture references. This is however a multidisciplinarary work and you do not need a theology degree to get something out of it.Secondly, the sections on the demographic analysis of Catholic disaffiliation seemed more familiar to me as a former student of polictical science. There is a read across to a term in voting behaviour called partizan dealignment. A similar sociological methodology could be used to explain phenomena such as the dealignment and realignment of the Trump Democrat in the USA, Labour to UKIP and Brexit Conservative switching in Northern England and the displacement of Labour by the SNP in Scotland. In fact similar people are probably involved in both phenomena. The author is likely aware of the possible critique that if we learned anything from 2020, groups like "Latino" and "Hispanic" need greater disaggregation. As we observed Cuban Americans in Florida are very different from Mexican Americans in Arizona.Thirdly, it is important to note that this is an academic work that observes a phenomenon objectively. The sad stories about child abuse and the well know Humanae Vite controversies are not overlooked. Some of the "recovering Catholics" mentioned have indeed come through the doors of my liberal denomination and I would happily supply this book to them as a way of understanding what happened in their personal stories as part of a wider trends. Whilst the conclusions about buildings and litergical reform are nuanced it gives little succour to ultra conservatives who see Vatican II as a cause of the church's downfall- such as Sedevacantists and some Tridentine Mass enthusiasts.Finally I think the final section towards the end which discusses The Benedict Option and how the "rise of social media is perfectly ecumenical in fostering relativism and nonreligiosity" is remarkably prescient. A book written and published in 2019 could not have forseen the extraordinary impact an accelerated uptake in online church in 2020 could have on a denomination so rooted in physical buildings, blessed sacraments and linking churches to schools and social capital based on locality. I will be very interested to see how Professor Bullivant addresses this in his subsequent work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and challengjng

G. · 24 June 2019

Great read

Great book, three books in one

B.M. · 23 January 2023

The author is the cutting edge in the sociology of religion. The first reading presents a subtle analysis of a very complicated topic that most people get wrong. The second reading is required not only to understand the material, but to enjoy British terms like 'lie-in' that pepper the book. Finally, a third pass is needed for the footnotes that are enjoyable and informative on there own.The only flaw is that the author leads the reader up to implied solutions but leaves these to the reader's imagination. I personally would like to see the rest of the trilogy.

Balanced

N. · 1 February 2021

This book gives a great balanced treatment of the topic. He does not do away with cultural trends nor does he simply say that everything is Vatican II's fault. He has many distinctions and brings out some great stats. A lot to learn from this academic work!

A Sociological Study

D.T.M. · 3 August 2019

The author presents a sociological study of the losses to established Churches in the US and the UK. The book reads as if it were the rendering of some doctoral thesis containing details of numbers of people leaving and categories chosen to reflect the loss.Overall the book is a difficult read. If you expected some discussion on Vatican II and its aftermath you may be disappointed. On the other hand if you are looking for numbers and tables you may find this of some use. The difficulty that one has today, however, is the ability to project limited data into overall population statistics. People seem less willing to assist the interrogators with correct answer, if such were even possible.The author states that he is a recent convert to Catholicism and thus unlike those educated before Vatican II may not have seen the total impact. The change in the Liturgy, which the author refers to, was dramatically more significant than the meat on Friday ban. If one were to come from 1960 in a time machine to the present, a Catholic could not have the slightest idea that they were in a Catholic Church. The Vatican in its wisdom destroyed the universal presentation and reduced it to local customs. Perhaps it was the intent to filter out those who disagreed, the author's statistics seem to confirm that.Overall I found the book quite difficult to read. I had expected something quite different and if you want to wade through the numbers and tables you may find some comfort. If on the other hand you are looking for understanding of why many are leaving, this leaves me at least unsatisfied.

More from this brand

Similar items from “Religion”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/K0198866755