Is being a catholic priest stressful? Or is it easy money?

Question

I had mentioned in a previous question that I would consider it on the basis of job security, how about stress though?

ok yes I have given up on the being a millioniare part and basically like the idea of a home provided and a vehicle allowance.

OMG hot johnny and David that was not something I would even consider. I just don't want to be homeless.

Answer 1

I just wanted to note that the post by mjal@rog... was plagiarized from Richard Bennett of the Berean Beacon an anti Catholic website.

To answer your question being a priest is often very stressful with a workload that is oppressive and the burden of responsibility for our flocks. The money is usually quite small with the highest paid priests being paid about $30,000 per year and some priests get little or no money except for basic necessities. Many of us have vowed poverty.

But the rewards of serving God, the faithful and the Church are all worth whatever personal sacrifice that is necessary.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 2

1. Yes, it's stressful.

2. No, it's not easy money. Many of them make a wage that is only lower middle-class. And seminary is expensive in places where the Diocese doesn't pay your way (which is most places).

3. Job security is great if you are called to be a priest. If you're not called, you'll be "weeded out" before you get to seminary.

4. If you're just looking for a lucrative career with job security, you are not called to be a priest. You totally are missing the point.

Answer 3

Yes, it is stressful, and we thank God that they don’t have the extra stress of holding a marriage together and are instead “single for the Kingdom” (Mt 19:12, 1 Cor 7:32-33) for ministering to the family of God, (us) can be very demanding, they are on call 24/7. But I’m sure it’s can also be rewarding. Our local priest is leaving in January, we will miss him dearly; he is a fantastic man.

[e-mail], Reading that crap made me think of the webpage I came across from a former nun, someone in their deceit (probably thought they were doing the right thing instead of opposing God) managed to convince her that when she knelt before a statue to pray, that she was worshiping it, (how absurd.) Just like reading Richard Bennett say “worship of Mary, the saints, and the priests”; (equally absurd if a Catholic believes that to be true.) So on reading what you stole from Richard Bennett I see that he falsely puts the Church and bible against each other, by twisting both Catholic teaching and the bible

http://www.geocities.com/seapadre_1999/richardbennett.html

Answer 4

What stress? Nobody can come back from the dead and say they were wrong. They have job security, no family to worry about providing for--they don't even have to decide what to wear to work. If you don't mind being forced to live an unnatural, celebate life while never having to make any major decisions because they were all made for you 2000 years ago, it could be a good gig.

Answer 5

It doesn't pay very well, and it is stressful. It's a 'calling,' not a job. When you are 'called' to be ordained, then the pay doesn't matter and the stress becomes joy. Not to sound cruel, but you have to have a deep relationship with God and if you're asking about pay, then you might consider another vocation.

Answer 6

depends on what you consider stressful. Being on call 24/7. ...going to the bedside of people sick and/or dying...trying to comfort both them and prepare them for death as well as their family members...working every holiday...Being responsible for the spiritual needs of a congregation...being responsible for the fiscal wellbeing of a congregation...having to live a life at all times above any possible reproach or gossip because of rampant anti-catholicism...being aware that any day you could be told you are being transfered..

to me that sounds extremely stressful...

(and worst of all you have to continually deal with the lies about how the RCC is not biblically based because people take verses in singularity and out of context...instead of reading the bible as a whole..or people who are just being misled by non Catholics who have no clue what the RCC actually believes or teaches because they believe the lies of Jack Chick and his ilk)...

Answer 7

If you really felt that this is what you were meant to be, then I think even though it would have it's stresses, you would be able to go through them with peace and joy. I know that I love my job and it does have it's stressful times, but it does not bother me that much, because I enjoy it so much. I would pray and ask God to show you what He wants for you and show you where you would be happy.

Answer 8

Being a Catholic Priest in not about having an easy job... it's not easy at all... you can't have sex, you have to love God more than you do yourself, you have to wear a uniform, can't go out... it's not easy. I'm grateful we have some men that love God enough so they can skip all these things.

Answer 9

You ahve to come up wit h sermons ...peopel confess and ask for councel about major stuff......you must or shoudl visit the sick....there is alot to do more then you would think so at times i guess it oculd get stressfull liek anyohter job

Answer 10

you need to dedicate your life to the church. If you are prepared to do that then go for it. Stressful sure it is. It is not a profession you go into just for job security.....