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A major study of US Catholic priests, released Wednesday, found that despite relatively high levels of personal well-being and fulfillment among priests as a whole, a significant percentage of priests have issues with burnout, distrust in their bishop, and fears of being falsely accused of misconduct. A large percentage of the priests and bishops surveyed reported high levels of well-being: 77% of priests and 81% of bishops can be categorized as “flourishing,” based on a measurement called the Harvard Flourishing Index. The report also says that 45% of priests surveyed reported at least one symptom of ministry burnout. Many fear that a single false allegation of sexual abuse could ruin them, the report states. Among the priests surveyed, a large majority — 82% — said they regularly fear false allegations. And many diocesan priests fear being abandoned by their diocese and bishop should they find themselves falsely accused, more so than religious priests. The priests surveyed also offered several recommendations for rebuilding trust between them and their bishops, which you can read about at catholicnewsagency.com.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252588/major-survey-of-catholic-priests-finds-trust-issues-burnout-fear-of-false-allegations
The Pontifical Academy for Life issued a statement Wednesday defending the recent appointment of an outspoken advocate for abortion rights on the grounds that members are chosen to contribute to “fruitful interdisciplinary, intercultural, and interreligious dialogue.” An Italian-American economist and professor at University College London, Mariana Mazzucato, was among seven academics appointed by Pope Francis on October 15 to serve five-year terms with the academy. On several occasions Mazzucato shared her pro-abortion views online when Roe v Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court. The Pontifical Academy for Life was formed by Saint John Paul II in 1994, and originally members were required to sign a declaration affirming pro-life views. That requirement went away in 2016, but the academy’s new statutes still require members to conform with Church teaching.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252589/vatican-press-office-pro-abortion-pontifical-academy-for-life-member-contributes-to-dialogue
Today the Church celebrates Saint Irene, a Portuguese nun who was martyred in defense of her chastity in the year 653. Saint Irene’s body was miraculously recovered after being thrown into the river. She was canonized in part because of the great amount of miracles that occured at her tomb.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-irene-26
The Church also honors Saint Bertilla Boscardin, a sister and nurse who cared for Italian soldiers during World War One.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-bertilla-boscardin-630