The First Five Years of Priesthood
Subtitle: A Study of Newly Ordained Catholic Priests
Publisher: Liturgical Press
Published: August 2002
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 184
ISBN-13: 9780814628041
Subjects: Christian spiritual & Church leaders; Priests; Christianity - Catholicism; Religion - Catholicism; United States; Religion; Religion - Classic Works; Psychology; Christian Ministry - Pastoral Resources; Christianity - Catholic; Catholic ex-priests; Bibles - Catholic; Catholic Church; Clergy
First sentence: This research was begun in response to numerous reports that newly ordained priests are feeling pressured today and are resigning at unacceptable rates.
Description: Reports what was learned from interviews with five hundred priests who were within five years of ordination and seventy-two recently ordained priests who had resigned. The research indicated that 10 to 15 percent of priests resigned within the first five years of their ministry due to loneliness, feelings of being unappreciated, problems of celibacy and disillusionment. The priests who remained active reported that satisfaction with their ministry came particularly from presiding at the Eucharist, preaching and teaching.