ABSTRACT

This chapter develops our previous theoretical interest in notions of spiritual capital

and symbolic exchange in an analysis of bishops and their ecclesiastical work. In

a broad sense our argument is that bishops possess spiritual capital but are gifts

to church and society. While this reference to being ‘gifts’ is not a theological

statement, but a sociological means of discussing the value transmitted within the

key personnel of an ongoing institution or society, it is one readily accessible for

theological comment and development. Here, however, our emphasis on capital

and gift theories are intended to drive this chapter’s consideration of bishops in a

changing world of pastoral ideals, managerial goals and media-magnified crises.