The First Five Years of the Priesthood: A Study of Newly Ordained Catholic Priests

by Dean R. Hoge

Book Overview

Catholic Press Association Award Winner

Reports indicate that many newly ordained men are feeling demoralized and some are resigning. The accounts raised many questions. How widespread is the problem? What difficulties are the recently ordained priests facing? Is the problem due to changes in lay attitudes or to changes in the ordained themselves? Is the situation different from what it was ten or twenty years ago?

The First...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814628044
• ISBN13: 9780814628041
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Good reading for those discerning a religious vocation.

The First Five Years of the Priesthood is a good book not only for those currently in leadership within the Church but also for those men who are discerning possible vocations to the priesthood. The data in this book gives a good inside look at what priests think about their jobs. The real benefit of this book is the candor of the interviewed priests. To often books about religious vocations are overly romanticized and not very realistic. This book gives hard numbers and allows priest both active, retired, and resigned a chance to tell their stories. Those who are discerning a possible religious vocation would do well to read this book because it takes the time to show multiple views of the priesthood. For those interested in the subject of selection and formation of future priests, check out Goodbye Brave Men by Michael Rose.

Why 10 to 15 percent of newly ordained priests resign & more

Written Dean R. Hoge (Professor of Sociology at The Catholic University of America), The First Five Years Of The Priesthood: A Study Of newly Ordained Catholic Priests) is the gathered knowledge from interviews with five hundred priests who were within five years of ordination and seventy-two recently ordained priests who had resigned. Examining both the reasons why 10 to 15 percent of newly ordained priests resign (loneliness, feeling unappreciated, problems with celibacy and disillusionment are among the main causes) and the advice that active priests have for those seeking to serve in ministry, The First Five Years Of The Priesthood is fascinating and strongly recommended reading for anyone considering becoming a Catholic priest or who has an interest in contemporary trends within clergy of the Roman Catholic Church.