A survey by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference’s Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry has looked at ways the Church can better support clergy in their pastoral work.
A majority of clergy (73 per cent) said they felt adequately supported in their ministry and work, but it leaves more than a quarter feeling more could be done.
A number expressed facing a range of challenges including experiences of loneliness, difficulties in pastoral ministry, heavy workloads, and gaps in training and mentoring.
The study report Thriving (and Surviving) in Ministry proposed a plan for “targeted pastoral strategies to support clergy in areas of wellbeing, mental health, and spiritual care”.
“This study stands as a hopeful and pioneering effort—one that opens the door to deeper understanding, continued dialogue, and meaningful action to nurture the wellbeing of those who serve the Church,” the report said.
Commission chair, Archbishop Christopher Prowse, said: “I encourage dioceses to read this report carefully and for clergy particularly to reflect with their bishop and others on the significance of these findings for the ongoing pastoral care of our priests and deacons.”
The study on the health and wellbeing of Australian Catholic clergy was commissioned by the Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry (BCELM) and conducted by the National Centre for Pastoral Research (NCPR) and the Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office (ACMRO).
The study aimed at developing an understanding of the health and wellbeing of Australian Catholic clergy (excluding bishops) to inform discussions at the bishops’ Plenary Meetings and guide future pastoral strategies. It also provided priests and deacons with the opportunity to share feedback on their overall wellbeing, mental and spiritual health, and raise any related concerns.
The project aimed to answer the following key questions: What are the key issues affecting Catholic clergy in areas of physical well-being, mental health and spiritual health? How have recent social and cultural changes in Australia affected the Catholic clergy? What are some other concerns that Catholic clergy in Australia struggle with? How can the support available for clergy be improved?
The executive summary and the full report, Thriving (and Surviving) in Ministry, can be found at the National Centre for Pastoral Research website.