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

Dean R. Hoge (Author), Robert J. Silva (Preface), Jackson W. Carroll (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2002

The First Five Years of the Priesthood reports what was learned from interviews with five hundred priests who were within five years of ordination and seventy-two recently ordained priests who had resigned. The research indicated that 10 to 15 percent of priests resigned within the first five years of their ministry due to loneliness, feelings of being unappreciated, problems of celibacy, and disillusionment. The priests who remained active reported that satisfaction with their ministry came particularly from presiding at the Eucharist, preaching, and teaching.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...points out many areas where serious attention needs to be given to the spiritual, emotional, and professional formation..." -- Bishop John R. Gaydos, Diocese of Jefferson City, Chairman S.C.C.B. Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry

"Hopefully, this book will be read with great care by those in leadership positions: bishops, personnel directors, seminary rectors..." -- Melvin C. Blanchette, S.S., Director Vatican II Institute Menlo Park, California

"This is an important study and should be read by all those involved in priestly formation." -- Tom Sweetser, S.J., Parish Evaluation Project

Product Details

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: The Liturgical Press (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814628044
• ISBN-13: 978-0814628041
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #535,820 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why 10 to 15 percent of newly ordained priests resign & more, October 5, 2003

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Five Years of the Priesthood: A Study of Newly Ordained Catholic Priests (Paperback)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good reading for those discerning a religious vocation., October 30, 2005

By 

G. Miller (Southeast) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The First Five Years of the Priesthood: A Study of Newly Ordained Catholic Priests (Paperback)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A VALUABLE STUDY OF NEWLY-ORDAINED PRIESTS, October 27, 2010

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Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The First Five Years of the Priesthood: A Study of Newly Ordained Catholic Priests (Paperback)

Dean R. Hoge (1937-2008) was an American sociologist, who spent decades studying American Catholics, especially empirical surveys on the priesthood. He has also written books such as Evolving Visions of the Priesthood: Changes from Vatican II to the Turn of the New Century, International Priests in America: Challenges And Opportunities, The Next Generation of Pastoral Leaders: What the Church Needs to Know (Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership), and Pastors In Transition: Why Clergy Leave Local Church Ministry (Pulpit and Pew Series).

He writes in the Author's Preface to this 2002 book, "Early in 1999 the National Federation of Priests' Councils asked me if I and others ... could begin a study of the problems of recently ordained Catholic priests. Reports were comimg in from all sides that many newly ordained men were feeling demoralized and some were resigning... We researchers listened to viewpoints blaming the seminaries, the mentality of today's seminarians, and insitutional policies. It became clear that the task of the research team was not to jump into the fray but merely to gather reliable new information that would make the debates more realistic and constructive."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"In sum, the resigned priests were especially critical of their theological training in one domain, that of preparing them for the celibate life and for coping with problems of loneliness." (Pg. 15)

"The statistics are clear. The number of priests is decreasing at between 10 and 20 percent per decade and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. At the same time the Church is experiencing a reduction in the number of priests, the number of Catholics is increasing at about 10 percent per decade." (Pg. 150)

"Two things will facilitate the movement of the Spirit. First, those in leadership of seminaries, dioceses, and congregations must create a climate that is conducive to fostering personal growth. Second, the newly ordained must respond to the promptings of the Spirit and be humble enough to see their need for growth. If these two things occur, we are likely to see another generation of effective pastoral, collaborative priests." (Pg. 154)