Clergy Health Problems Resulting From Priest Shortage,
Due to a recent decline in the number of priests, the Catholic Church is coming to terms with the fact that many of those who have chosen the cloth, no matter how divinely inspired, cannot handle all their clerical duties, a trend that is increasingly leading to illness, fatigue, burnout, and “little time for prayer and renewal.” Beliefnet reports via the Catholic News Service on a new document called “Guidelines Regarding Expectations of Priests and Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest,” penned by Bishop James A. Griffin. Griffin’s suggestions for priests include a full day off each week, not having to attend more than three Masses for Sunday or holy days, and having four weeks vacation a year and a three-month sabbatical after every 10 years of service.
