On October 5th, 2011, Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti, priest of the Diocese of Syracuse, psychologist, and professor at the Catholic University of America, will release Why Priests are Happy, his groundbreaking study on the American Catholic priesthood. Catholic University of America is organizing and hosting the Symposium on the Priesthood, where the book will be launched and which will feature lectures by Rossetti, Archbishop Wilton Gregory, and Msgr. Robert Panke.

The publication of Why Priests are Happy marks the most comprehensive study of the American priesthood with nearly 2,500 priests interviewed and, contrary to portrayals in the media, shows evidence that U.S. priests enjoy an extraordinarily high rate of happiness in their vocations. Rossetti writes: “The findings are strong, replicable, and consistent: priests, as a group, are very happy men. They like priesthood. They are committed to it. They find much satisfaction in their lives and ministries. In fact, the satisfaction rates of priests are among the highest of any way of life or vocation in the United States.”

Among Rossetti’s findings:

  • 92% of priests agree or strongly agree that they are happy in their ministry
  • The large majority of priests reported personally experiencing celibacy in a positive way
  • Despite heavy workloads, priests experience lower burnout levels than general society
  • Priests, by and large, are not lonely; they experience profound relationships in their communities of clergy and with laity

The CUA symposium is FREE to students, faculty, seminarians, and all clergy. Anyone interested in attending should register here.