Abstract:
The purpose of the study is to explored pastoral demand and burnout among Catholic priests
in the Archdiocese of Luanda. This study used two theories namely: Job demand resources
theory, and the Self-determination. Furthermore, the researcher was guided by these specifics
objectives that are: To assess possible level of burnout among Catholic priests of the
Archdiocese of Luanda. To establish the challenges of burnout among Catholic priests of the
Archdiocese of Luanda. To assess pastoral demand among the Catholic priests of the
Archdiocese of Luanda and to identify on different coping strategies to burnout among the
Catholic priests of the Archdiocese of Luanda. The study used questionnaire and interview
instruments to collect data in the field. The target population was of 123 respondents from the
general population. The researcher used the Census method that targeted all the 123
participants Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Luanda. Based on the Statistical Package
for Social Sciences version 25, (IBM - SPSS 25), the quantitative data was analysed using
inferential statistics by employing Chi Square, and descriptive statistic in frequencies,
percentages, means, and standard deviation, correlation and regression. The results revealed
that there is a moderate (almost strong) positive correlation between emotional exhaustion
(burnout) and demand and challenges among the priests in the Archdiocese of Luanda
(0.316). Most respondents admitted to be facing most of the indicators of exhaustion either
often or very often and they were facing challenges leading to their dissatisfaction. The study
recommended that; the archdiocese of Luanda should consider setting up functioning
counselling centres where priests and other pastors of different religions can feel free to go
and interact with the counsellors in reference to various challenges that they are facing and
open up about their level of exhaustion and burnout. Awareness about exhaustion and burnout
and various ways with which priests in the archdiocese can cope should be made among the
clergy thus reducing the chances burning out while not being aware of it.
