An institutional crisis of faith. The breakdown of systemic autopoiesis of the Catholic Church in the face of new spirituality

Abstract

The study presents a sociological analysis of the institutional crisis of faith in the context of the Catholic Church. It refers to the systemic perspective and features of autopoietism that have been taken from the work of Niklas Luhmann. Changes and crises are a permanent part of the functioning of any social system, including Church institutions in particular. This is clearly seen in the perspective of the crises and counter-jurisdictions that have occurred over the years and the Church’s activities. In general, self-referential social systems have self-referential capabilities that adequately place their activities in the environment. As a result of the collapse of traditional societies and the progressive individualization of religiousness, the importance of the Church has been confirmed by the social system.