The National Federation of Priests' Councils, with financial support from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., is in the process of analyzing the main problems facing Roman Catholic priests in their first years of priesthood. The study is being done in response to reports from around the nation that recently ordained priests are facing pressures stronger than ever before. Is this true? What are the pressures? What can be done to help? Is loneliness a major problem? Is overwork? Is it preparation for ministry? This is one part of a larger Lilly-sponsored series of studies coordinated by Duke Divinity School.

METHOD
The research team sent mail questionnaires to a sample of about 800 diocesan and religious order priests ordained less than six years, to assess the satisfactions and the pressures in their lives. A small number of them will be interviewed in person. All names of persons, cities, and dioceses will be confidential.

The researchers interviewed a sample of 100 priests who resigned within the first five years of priesthood. This will be done by phone, and a small number of them will be interviewed later in person. All persons will be confidential.

Also a series of seminary educators, vicars for priests, and members of personnel committees will be interviewed. Data collection and interviewing will begin early in 2000.

FINAL PRODUCT
The final report, with the commentaries, will be published by The Liturgical Press in early 2002. Also the National Federation of Priests' Councils will sponsor a symposium reflecting on the research findings and discussing recommendations in 2003..

STUDY DIRECTOR
Dr. Dean R. Hoge, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Life Cycle Institute, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064 -- Telephone -- (202) 319-5999 and Fax  -- (202) 319-6267.

ADVISORS

Rev. Robert Silva	President, National Federation of Priests' Councils
Bro. Bernard Stratman, SM	Executive Director, National Federation of Priests' Councils
Rev. Melvin Blanchette, SS	Vatican II Institute, Menlo Park, CA
Rev. Edward Burns	USCCB Committee on Vocations & Priestly Formation
Prof. Jackson Carroll, Ph.D.	Duke University Divinity School
Rev. Michael Cronin	Nat'l Organization for the Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy
Rev. Robert Flagg	Nat'l Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors
Rev. Ted Keating, SM	Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Mr. Daniel Kidd, Ph.D.	Guest House
Rev. Cletus Kiley	Executive Director, USCCB Priestly Life & Ministry Committee
Ms. Christa Klein, Ph.D.	Center for Continuing Formation, St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, MD
Sr. Lynn Levo, CSJ, Ph.D.	St. Luke Institute
Deacon John Pistone	USCCB Committee on the Diaconate
Rev. Stephen Rossetti	St. Luke Institute
Rev. James Walsh	Seminary Department, National Catholic Educational Association
Sr. Lea Woll, SLW	Learning Partnerships (process facilitator)