Catholic priests may feel ‘non-essential’ during the pandemic – here’s how you can help

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As the novel coronavirus spread in March, all U.S. Catholic dioceses reduced public Masses to prevent the spread of the disease.

Beginning in mid-April, many dioceses began to resume offering public Masses, albeit with limitations on attendees and regulations including the use of masks and hand sanitizer. Other dioceses have not yet resumed public Masses.

Over Memorial Day weekend, Lynch sent out a questionnaire to a dozen priests, representing different parts of the country and different priestly demographics — including vocation directors and seminary rectors, middle-aged pastors and newly ordained priests.

The survey asked questions about how the pandemic has affected priests’ mental health, what kind of support they need and what pressures they expect to see in the future. Lynch expressed hope that the questionnaire would help her better understand the current condition of priests, so that she can help prepare psychologists to support them.

The results, she found, were that clergy said they were experiencing greater psychological strain due to the pandemic, leading to loneliness, depression, cynicism, anger and fear.

“The number one message I heard was that this quarantine has brought to light a growing crisis of priestly identity,” she said.

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