Dilemmas of Professionalization of Parish Social Work in Welfare State

Abstract

Social work in communities across the world has been almost universally religious in origin, with the idea and practice of charity one of the key components. The professionalization and secularisation of social work in the modern world was particularly marked in Soviet Russia, where the state took over most of the Orthodox Church’s social roles. In a now post-communist context, with a shrinking state role, the Orthodox Church now is returning to a more important role and has become the focus of much attention. This is largely the result of neo-traditional elements in the thinking and institutions of the state in Russia over the more recent period. The goal of this article is to examine the specifics in the development of a new social work profession in this religious environment. This article looks to consider the case of social work at the parish level of the Orthodox Church and how networks of social support have emerged at this level. The formation of social work at Orthodox Church in Russia in the 2000s is characterized by several key contradictions, some of which are typical for the development of the profession in general, while others are considered to be particular features of parish social work in Russia. The article is based on the analysis of information from open sources and interview with parish social workers and priests. What is revealed is a dilemma of secular and spiritual worlds over who should take what responsibilities in the social sphere. One of the key questions raised is who, in the eyes of the people, should be the legitimate provider of social work and social welfare. Clearly, religious institutions are playing a larger role in the provision of social work and this is giving rise to new interactions between church, state and the community. At the same time the requirements of the professionalization of social work create tensions with the activities of the Orthodox church, reflecting conflict between neo-liberal and neo-traditional approaches to the question.