Greeley, Andrew M.

Greeley, Andrew M. (Moran)

(1928–  ) Catholic priest, sociologist; born in Oak Park, Ill. Ordained in 1954, he earned a sociology doctorate from the University of Chicago while doing parish work (1962); he then joined the university's National Opinion Research Center. His studies convinced him that the Catholic hierarchy was out of touch with the attitudes and needs of priests and laity. Besides sociological studies and writings on moral and religious topics, he turned out salty popular novels, increasing his reputation as a maverick within the church.

The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, by John S. Bowman. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995. Reproduced with permission.