Forgive the intrusion of a lay voice, but I have had a number of
friends/close acquaintances among the clergy, and I am widely read on
religio-social issues in Godzone, so feel mildly qualified to comment as an
observer.

Firstly, I would not expect – as a general rule – problems in the U.S.A. to
be reflected to the same degree in Australia. An American cleric will routinely
have more parishioners to look after, and a higher percentage of active (or at
least vocal) persons to attend to. I suspect also, that the intensity of those
persons is likely to add stresses of a more extreme nature than most of our
parishes would present.

Please note, I am talking in generalities and assume exceptions. But on the
whole I think that a comparable survey would reveal an existing, though lesser,
problem here.

Second, there are many (including some well-publicised) cases of Australian
clergy succumbing to the stresses of the task (and I am excluding moral or
theological lapses of judgement). There are examples of clergy treated for
mental health problems, or who have left the vocation, or switched parishes –
even denominations – as a result of perceived pressures. I suspect (though these
are less apparent) that cases will be found also among the para-vocationals
(those in support roles such as deacons, lay-preachers, etc.).

Yet, for each problem that can be identified, there are examples of clergy
who thrive on the self-same factor. Some achieve a higher sense of achievement
and satisfaction in situations that would have crippled others. (Just as priests
have left the Roman Catholic church because celibacy is a problem, others find
their place there.)

I think of one parish I know where the pastor left feeling weighed down and
dissatisfied, to be replaced by another pastor who blossomed and thrived.
Interestingly, pastor one went on to have a great deal of reward from his next
posting.

I agree that having some other diversion or interest may assist many, though
I think it is trivialising to call this a hobby. It might be wood-carving, it
might be listening to Wagner, it might be singing Victorian parlour ballads, but
it might also be meditation or even having a family life.

To me the problem is a management problem, and I apologise in advance to any
bishop who might be listening. An individual will have his/her own personality,
and that will be more or less in tune with the needs of different vocational
settings. It is a matter of finding the right parish or other setting for each
individual, and achieving an appropriate resolution for problems that may
generate unacceptable stress.

Thanks for listening,

Ray Cotsell