NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area, North Slave Region

Tags: social sciences, religion, leadership, church

Objective(s): To learn about how the shortage of priests is effecting parishes in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Also, to learn about the innovative ways Northern Roman Catholics are dealing with this shortage through lay leadership.

Project Description: The objective of this research project is to learn about how the shortage of priests is affecting parishes in the NWT. Also, to learn about the innovative ways Northern Roman Catholics are dealing with this shortage through lay leadership. The voices of Northern Roman Catholics should be added to this study. This is a qualitative research project that will gather data through personal interviews and observation. The intent is to interview Roman Catholic priests and practicing Roman Catholics who are involved in lay ministry. The interviews will be semi-standardized and open-ended. Only willing participants will be interviewed after informed consent is obtained from them. If the participant changes their mind after the interview begins, the interview will immediately end. The participant may withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason. Interviews will be digitally recorded and transcribed. After transcription, the digital recordings will be erased. The real names of participants will not be used and all identities of participants will be protected. Interviews may be as short as twenty minutes or as long as two hours depending on the comfort level of the participant. Observation will include attendance at public church services and events. A snowball sample will be drawn. Parish priests will first be contacted and then asked to introduce the researcher to parishioners who may be willing to participate. The study participants will have the opportunity to learn about how other Northern Roman Catholics are engaging in lay ministry and managing their parishes without full time priests. Northern Roman Catholics have been innovative in lay leadership and some Southern Roman Catholics have noted that these innovations have been a source of inspiration for them. This study will give Northern Roman Catholics a voice where they have the opportunity to explain their faith and their religious practices in their own words. A report will be written in plain language that will highlight the results. This report will be circulated to parishes, participants and any other interested parties. A copy of the dissertation will be made available. A website will be created that explains the research and the results. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 1, 2011 to August 1, 2011.