“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: Piccone-Camere Carlos, Lecaros Véronique
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2025-07-01
Series:Open Cultural Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/culture-2025-0060
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author Piccone-Camere Carlos
Lecaros Véronique
author_facet Piccone-Camere Carlos
Lecaros Véronique
author_sort Piccone-Camere Carlos
collection DOAJ
description 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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publisher De Gruyter
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series Open Cultural Studies
spelling doaj-art-249299bc99054cc788eb08e131efb4ae2025-08-20T02:37:17ZengDe GruyterOpen Cultural Studies2451-34742025-07-0191pp. 52568310.1515/culture-2025-0060“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 OrderPiccone-Camere Carlos0Lecaros Véronique1Department of Theology, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, PeruDepartment of Theology, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, PeruThe 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.https://doi.org/10.1515/culture-2025-0060violence and religionabuse(s) within the catholic churchchurch historycapuchin order
spellingShingle Piccone-Camere Carlos
Lecaros Véronique
“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
Open Cultural Studies
violence and religion
abuse(s) within the catholic church
church history
capuchin order
title “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
title_full “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
title_fullStr “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
title_full_unstemmed “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
title_short “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
title_sort 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
topic violence and religion
abuse(s) within the catholic church
church history
capuchin order
url https://doi.org/10.1515/culture-2025-0060
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