Priestly life: A psychological perspective

A seminar is taking place Monday at the Salesian University here in Rome on the effects pastoral work can have on the life of the priest. The theme of the meeting is “Priests on the couch: the ease and unease of the priests’ pastoral work. The afternoon discussion aims to help recognise and manage the psychological problems priests can encounter.”

Anglican and Canon Professor of Religions and Education at Warwick University in England, Leslie Francis, is taking part in today’s discussion.

He spoke to Lydia O’Kane about the mechanisms priests use to cope saying, “there are different levels which we can talk about coping mechanisms among priests, There’s a very real way in which the spiritual resources on which priests can draw are properly there to support them”.

Professor Francis also adds that it is important to remember that priests are human beings and much has been learned by the other caring professions about resourses they need to be able to engage with others day in and day out. Listen