“He Who Obeys Does Not Err”: Examining Residual Violence in the Practice of Obedience Within the Catholic Church Through a Case Study of the Capuchin Order
The Capuchin Order, a key Franciscan reform of the Tridentine Counter-Reformation, has historically emphasized strict, literal obedience to the Rule of Saint Francis. This article critically explores the lived experience of the vow of obedience within the Capuchin framework, focusing on how it can f...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
De Gruyter
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Open Cultural Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1515/culture-2025-0060 |
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| Summary: | The Capuchin Order, a key Franciscan reform of the Tridentine Counter-Reformation, has historically emphasized strict, literal obedience to the Rule of Saint Francis. This article critically explores the lived experience of the vow of obedience within the Capuchin framework, focusing on how it can foster forms of “cadaveric obedience,” which may lead to abuse, regression, and depersonalization. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the study examines how these power dynamics persist in the order’s practices and structures. Despite contemporary shifts toward individual autonomy, the Capuchin Constitutions maintain a rigid interpretation of obedience, reinforcing a hierarchical system that demands both material and spiritual renunciation, thus reinforcing dependence on authority. By combining autoethnography with anthropological insights into violence, this article contributes to broader discussions on power, control, and abuse prevention within contemporary religious institutions and analogous frameworks. |
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| ISSN: | 2451-3474 |