| Abstract [eng] |
This thesis examines how the sexual abuse scandal involving priest S. Grigas affected the social structure, faith perceptions, and institutional trust within the Degaičiai community. Based on twelve semi-structured interviews, community observations, and additional data, the study reveals that the community's response to deviant behavior caused moral disruption and was diverse. These responses reflect different aspects of faith, spirituality, and the relationship with the Church, analyzed using Durkheim’s theory of religion, Cohen’s moral panic and scapegoating theories, and Golec de Zavala’s collective narcissism framework. The analysis identified two primary narrative groups: institutional believers and post-secular individuals. Institutional believers emphasized tradition, rituals, and community bonds, viewing the Church as central despite criticisms of its institutional role. Priest Grigas was perceived positively even after the scandal, and his removal was seen as a loss, emphasizing forgiveness over condemnation and maintaining community solidarity. However, institutional believers also criticized the Church’s role and suggested reforms. Post-secular individuals, in contrast, prioritized individualized spirituality and strongly criticized the Church for materialism, hypocrisy, and its handling of abuse scandals, leading to deeper rifts and calls for institutional reform. The theoretical framework provided tools for analysis but also revealed nuances. Cohen’s moral panic theory explained scapegoating narratives, but for institutional believers, moral panic reinforced solidarity. Golec de Zavala’s collective narcissism theory partially clarified reactions, highlighting loyalty to the priest and externalizing criticism among believers, while post-secular individuals focused on moral critique and disassociation. The research highlights internal tensions within the community and contrasting responses to external threats. Institutional believers retained solidarity and faith, while post-secular individuals reinforced individualized spirituality. Both groups recognized a crisis in the Church’s authority. These findings contribute to broader discussions on religion and community in modern society and suggest future research on communities during the height of scandals to capture more immediate and intense reactions, offering insights for theoretical and practical applications. |
