Pastoral Demand and Burnout among Catholic Priests in Archdiocese of Luanda - Angola

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.