First of all, most priests are in a state that might be considered either spiritually / emotionally healthy or at least stable. Still, there are significant minority numbers of our priests and bishops that are unhealthy or in crisis. Below are some observations based on conversations from my time spent with them. This post was prompted by an article in the National Catholic Register which is entitled, “Why Are So Many Young Priests Leaving Ministry?”

Before I get into my own observations I would like to first highlight the work of The Catholic Project at the Catholic University of America which has been conducting a huge study of Catholic priests in the USA and the results are very insightful. Some of the things I want to highlight from their study:

• 7% of diocesan priests showed high burnout

• Half of the priests ordained since 2000 reporting that they are expected to do too many things “that go beyond [their] calling as priests”

• 33% of priests said that their “relationship with other priests tends to be superficial.”

• A significant minority (45%) of more recently ordained priests indicated either that they are lonely at least some of the time

• Among priests ordained before 1975, more than 70% described themselves as theologically progressive, while in the 2010-or-later cohort only 8% did so. By contrast, over 70% of the youngest priests described themselves as either conservative/orthodox” or “very conservative/orthodox,” leaving only about one in five in the middle-of-the-road.”

A few of my own observations:

1. Younger priests have unique issues we should not just ignore or try to explain away. Most older priests started their pastoral ministry in placements as parochial vicars (e.g., Associate Pastors) where they were assigned under a pastor for several years (and some for many years). This gave them a good runway of time to get adjusted to the priesthood, learn the realities or working in a parish, time to grow as a priest, etc. In contrast, most young priests get made pastors of parishes much quicker. In addition, they may be pastor multiple parishes, clusters of parishes, have additional duties (e.g., diocesan placements), etc. On average, this means they have more parishioners and more problems that the older guys didn't have at the same age. 

2. Then there is little priestly fraternity (esp. between generations) and a lot of loneliness. From my anecdotal experiences, there is an expectation about the priesthood in young priests that is greater than in other generations. When they leave the seminary, they expect fruitfulness, success, and positive responses from their flocks and superiors.  They enter the parish and after a while, reality is like running into a brick wall and it hurts. They were taught to be spiritual fathers, but some haven't learned how to be sons of their heavenly Father first. They face opposition, frustration, hurt, backsliding, anger, loneliness, spiritual desolation, bickering, church politics, etc. - and it can easily lead to frustration, depression, addiction, bitterness and other deep problems. They feel they have no where to turn, because their prayer is dried up and they are ashamed. While they just want to matter to someone. Anyone. They can’t bring themselves to talk to their brother priests or superiors. Thus, they get caught in a cycle that leads them deeper and deeper into negativity.

3. A small minority of priests have issues that haven't been addressed. When this is the case, there is help out there. There is counseling, support groups, 12 step groups, etc. Regardless, in order to get back to the path of health and holiness, they will need to take the next step. The first is admitting the problem. The second is seeking out help.

4. There is a big divide in the priesthood between generations. The young priests feel there is very little support in most dioceses from the older generations. Many older priests (esp. 60+) have a "suck it up" attitude about the young ones. Older priests are frustrated with what they think is young priests stuck on liturgical issues and pious practices the old guys don't care about. Some think the young guys complain too much and work too little. On the other hand, the younger priests feel the older guys are too irreverent, especially with the liturgy. Some believe the older guys messed up everything and are handing them all the problems their generations have to now fix. Within all the generational distress, there is little connection and respect between the generations. Unfortunately, this is really bad in some places. 

5. Too many priests don't have good boundaries. I had one young priest tell me he can't take a day off. I told him he had to. He argued with me about "who will do what needs to be done?" I had to tell him that he would no longer be a priest in a few years if he kept burning himself up...and then there would be one less person to do those things. His day off is a necessity. Others work 16 hours a day, every day. Some don’t say “no”. Some are frustrated, irritated, and burned out - but won’t change how they are operating. Maybe they feel they have no other choice, but it ultimately will fry the men that let boundaries slip for long. 

6. For younger priests - many struggle with their hopes and dreams of what they envisioned the priesthood was going to be vs the reality of it lived out in parish life. They come out of a hyper-communal environment (seminary) and live in a hyper-lonely one (the parish where they are most likely alone). They get to study philosophy and theology they love and then never get to talk to anyone who cares about it. They want to make a difference in a place that just wants them to not rock the boat or change the status quo. When they do try something they get complaints, negativity, and opposition. They realize that the culture of the parish means decline if it continues on, but haven’t been given the knowledge, skill, or help they need to make the changes that can actually make a difference. Thus, this is a major pain point.

7. Then there are those priests that don't take annual retreats, don't have spiritual directors, don't have any real friends, have mental/emotional issues, drink too much, are addicts, etc. It all adds up to a recipe for disaster. 

Remember - most priests aren’t in crisis. Most aren’t near burnout. But, that doesn’t mean they still don’t feel unsupported or lonely sometimes. That doesn’t mean we can’t do more.

What can we do?

LAITY

• The laity play a MAJOR part in helping our priests be healthy. We need to pray for our pastors more. We need to fast for them. But, we also need to encourage them and help them. Ask what you can do for them. Then do it. Find time to invite them to your house for a meal. Be a friend or at least friendly to them. They need your support

BISHOPS AND DIOCESAN LEADERS

• The good news is the vast majority of bishops truly want what is good for their priests. Yet, many priests don’t have enough access to their bishops. So, the first thing is to make more time to invest in them. Listen. Reach out. Initiate. Then help lighten their load. Strategically - think about how priestly community and brotherhood can be fostered. The good news is that many bishops, dioceses and seminaries know about the issues and are at least trying to do something, even if it isn't enough.

PRIESTS

• If you are a priest, you must act too. As Pope Leo XIV wrote, “An isolated priest is vulnerable. Fraternity and priestly communion are intrinsic to the vocation. The Church needs holy pastors who give themselves together, not solitary functionaries; only in this way can they be credible witnesses to the communion they preach.” But, even before that, you HAVE to pray and you know it. So do it. Then - set boundaries, find community / relationship / accountability, seek out counsel from others, continue your formation as a leader and priest. Etc.

If you are a pastor reading this and don’t know where to start, I encourage you to reach out to us or to others who help priests and their teams. We exist to help renew Catholic leaders through pastoral conversion which leads to institutional renewal. Conversion is the key. I am praying for you.