New Study Shows Priests Largely Satisfied, but Trust in Bishops Still Low, and Burnout Looms

New study shows priests largely satisfied, but trust in bishops still low, and burnout looms

(OSV News) — A new study on U.S. priests shows that many report satisfaction with their ministry, but trust in bishops and major superiors is still low, although improving. In addition, many younger priests are at risk of burnout and loneliness as their responsibilities increase amid a decline in vocations — but youth, family ministry and evangelization are key pastoral priorities. And while priests in general were somewhat lukewarm on the theor…

Younger U.S. priests remain more conservative than older priests, survey says

Younger U.S. priests say they are far more conservative than older priests in their voting patterns, according to a 2025 survey. / Credit: TSViPhoto/Shutterstock Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 14, 2025 / 15:35 pm (CNA). Younger U.S. priests are far more conservative than older priests, reaffirming a generational divide in political views, according to a 2025 survey.The strong generational divide in political views among Catholic priests in the U…

Younger Priests Remain More Conservative Than Older Priests in US, Survey Says

The Catholic Project released a new survey on Oct. 14. About 51% of priests ordained in 2010 or later said their political views are either conservative or very conservative. There is also a generational divide on whether Eucharistic devotion or access to the traditional Latin Mass are priorities, with younger priests more focused on those issues.

Study sheds light on generational divide among US priests

A major new study of U.S. priests by the Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America has highlighted sharp differences in the outlook and experiences of older and younger clergy.Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk. Source.The 2025 National Study of Catholic Priests, the results of which were released Oct. 14, found that younger clergy were more likely to describe themselves as theologically orthodox and politically moderate, to think access t…