Paper short abstract:

I examine the tension between Catholic religious experience and practice in relation to religious authority. I will examine how individuals see their religious experience and practice and in particular, where they situate the sources of authority and legitimacy for their « lived Catholicism ».

Paper long abstract:

I propose to examine the tension between Catholic religious experience and practice in relation to religious authority. I draw upon field research carried out by assistants for a team project on contemporary religious/spiritual currents in Quebec. Examples are drawn from, among others, charismatic Catholics, Catholics in lay groups, and Catholics who identify as such and who are influenced by other traditions such as Spiritualism and Shamanism. I will examine how individuals see their religious experience and practice and in particular, where they situate the sources of authority and legitimacy for their « lived Catholicism ».