For the past two weeks, I have shared some interesting ideas and data which I received at a convocation with Archbishop O’Brien. Today, I’ll share a little more of that information with you.
Workload
In a study of various Christian denominations in the U.S., it was found that Catholic priests work the longest hours per week – an average of 56 hours per week. Percent of time per week administering parish/congregation’s work and attending meetings:
- Protestant Pastors 14%
- Catholic Priests 31%
Satisfaction Levels
- 30% of parish priests say they are too busy to adequately
meet the pastoral needs of the people they serve. - 88% of all non-retired priests agreed that they were satisfied with their lives.
- 87% in a 2007 survey said they were “very happy” with their jobs –
well ahead of the second place, firefighters, who came in at 80%. - 86% of U.S. Catholics agreed, in a 2007 survey, that their pastors
were doing a good job.
Catholic Optimism
73% of Catholics were optimistic about the future of the Church despite some recent difficult issues.
(To be continued...)
- Fr. Carl
