Occupational Stressors and Flourishing among Roman Catholic Priests: The Eucharist as the "Source and Summit".

This article examines the occupational stressors affecting the psychological well-being, or flourishing, of Roman Catholic priests in the United States, focusing on four key stressors: feeling disrespected in their role, overwork beyond their vocational calling, thoughts of leaving the priesthood, and lack of trust in their diocesan bishop. Using data from a nationally representative sample of 3,515 priests collected in 2022, the study finds that these stressors are significantly associated with lower flourishing scores. Importantly, the study identifies Eucharistic centrality—priests’ perception of the Eucharist as the center of their lives—as a significant protective factor that buffers the negative impact of these occupational stressors on flourishing. The findings suggest that fostering a strong relationship with the Eucharist may enhance resilience among priests facing workplace challenges, highlighting the need for further research on faith-based coping resources to support clergy well-being.