A VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PRIESTS & RELIGIOUS TO READ AND TAKE NOTE

It is becoming common these days to hear that a priest/Religious has exited the priesthood/Religious life. One wonders why a priest/religious will abandon his calling and head to the world leaving behind thousands of people that enjoyed his ministeration.

*Facts*:
👉 About 20-30% of priests/Religious  exit the priesthood/Religious life annually.

👉Priests/Religious are not superhuman, they can get to breaking points.

👉Most priests/Religious don't have people to pour their hearts to.

👉The only army that shoots its soldiers and lieutenants without any tangible offence is some  of the Church's authority.

👉Priests/Religious neglect thier own needs to meet the needs of others.

👉A Priest/Religious is an ordinary man in the hands of a mighty God.

👉A Priest/Religious as a human is liable to human weaknesses and failures.

😣 *WHAT CAUSES BURNOUT*?

*Ministering without being ministered to.

*Lack of delegation.

*Giving in to accusations and criticism.

*Zero retreat and spiritual recollection.

*No leave or vacation.

*Indifference to hobbies and recreational activities.

*Frustrations for personal needs.

* Depression from constituted Church's authority due to lack of understanding of the priest & Religious' needs and intentions.

* Undue punishment on the priest/Religious

*Condemnation of the priest/Religious due to accusation from laity (sometimes) without thorough investigation.

*Uncooperative Parish Council and Associate priests/Religious.

*Vindictive and insensitive Parish Priest to the Associate and parishioners.

*Oppression from "hierarchies" in the area of:  ministry, posting, mission and further studies.

*Prayerlessness on the part of the Priest/Religious

*Walking alone in ministry.

*Satanic counter attacks.

*Lack of indiscipline in regards to punctuality and in relation to complementary sex.

*Lack of accountability in finance.

*Lukewarmness and seeing "HOLY mass" and pastoral works as burden.

*Lack of contentment and inordinate ambitions.

👍🏾How to avoid burnout*

🙏🏻Have a Spiritual Director that you can pour out your heart to.

🙏🏻Take time out from time to time to be with friends and family members.

🙏🏻Cultivate a Pattern of relaxation by engaging in some recreational activities.

🙏🏻Know when to retreat so that you don't surrender.

🙏🏻Delegate wisely.

🙏🏻 Don't be a lone-ranger (wisely relate with other ministers and ministries) you can't survive alone, but be wise.

🙏🏻Relate well with your biological family members and Alma Mater.

ACTION*
💛Send this message to every minister of God that you know.
💛And to all responsible members that you also know so that they too can be of help and courage to their Priests & Religious.

💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛

May God sustain true servants of God that Labour day and night in His vineyard.

Love, forgive, challenge, encourage, support and pray for your Priests & Religious