The unacknowledged presence of Catholicism in secularized Dutch society: The case of spiritual care

There is a certain self-centeredness in in the diagnosis that the church, here: the Roman Catholic Church, is in crisis. In itself, the diagnosis reflects an experience of ontological insecurity. The existence of the church as we know it is at stake, and the future is uncertain. One narrative is guided by fear: will the church survive? Another by hope: the church to come will be more pure, or more hospitable. An alternative perspective starts with society instead of the church and tries to understand the present in light of the past, instead of looking at the future based on the present.
This chapter addresses the impact of Catholicism in secularized Dutch society, focusing on its contribution to the field of mental health care and spiritual care, while acknowledging the decay of the religious field as such, in the past decades. The central thesis is that, even where solid structures have melted, practices such as those originating in pastoral care, have been continued in a secular environment. The empirical findings are followed by suggestions about how to evaluate these findings from a theological perspective.