Archbishop

By Thomas J. Reese

Subjects: Political science, Bischof, New York Times reviewed, Rooms-Katholieke Kerk, Government, Catholic Church, Bishops, Catholic church, government

Description: The stated purpose of this book is to describe "what the American archbishops do for a living . . . how they provide leadership . . . spend their time . . . get information . . . make decisions, and . . . communicate with their priests and people." From interviews with the leaders of 31 archdioceses, the author (a Jesuit priest) provides this information in well-organized, clearly summarized chapters. There are also accessible accounts of the selection of bishops, the relationship of the American church to the Roman papacy, the church as a bureaucracy, and the varied managerial styles of church leaders. A chart allowing visual comparison of similarities and differences among archdioceses would have been helpful, as would an index. Recommended.