Secularization and Social Integration

Abstract

At the end of the 1997-1998 academic year, Professor Karel Dobbelaere was awarded emeritus status by the Catholic University of Leuven. For four decades, he contributed and gave shape to academic sociology in Flanders. During this period, he showed students how to find their way into general sociology and sociological research at the Catholic University of Leuven and the University of Antwerp. At the same time, he brought the sociology of religion in Flanders to maturity. With indefatigable dedication, he defended the autonomy and the necessity of a scientific, empirical study of churches, denominations, sects, and religious beliefs from a sociological perspective. Karel Dobbelaere managed to reconcile harmoniously a permanent presence in Flemish sociology with an international scientific career. He enjoys great recognition within the world community of sociologists of religion and within its representative organization, the Soci