Priests: A Calling in Crisis

Most books and articles I have read written about this subject have been very subjective and not based on any real samples. Here, Professor Greeley does a thorough analysis of the problems as seen from the religious and the laity point of views. An empirical studies if you will. And he includes Christian Pastors within this study.

Though his research shows that most clergy are not in touch with the desires and complaints of their parishioners. The problems, including the sexual abuse scandal, do not appear to have their basis in celibacy nor in the sexual orientation of the clergy. They mainly seem to stem from the clergy not actually listening to their parishioners. For if they were, they may here what their flock feels it is missing. show more And then address these problems, whether they are real or just perceived.

He also shows that the so-called celibacy issue is not a concern on why a Priest leaves his vocation. Nor does it have any impact on the scandal. He actually shows that most Priests are happy and well adjusted in their profession. The numbers come in right on par with the married Protestant Clergy. Priest leave the field for the same reason anyone else leaves theirs, they do not feel they are in the correct job and do not enjoy the duties. I agree with the author when he says, we should thank these mean for the time they shared with us and let them leave unhindered. For who would want a Pastor who does not wish to be there?

And he feels the current crisis in the number of Priest has more to do with lack of recruitment. It seems that though most Priests are happy in their jobs and enjoy their work. They feel that their peers must be having a hard time coping with celibacy, even though they are not. So they do not want to recruit anyone into a job the recruit may find lonely. In my opinion this makes a self-fulfilling prophecy. show less