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

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.