Abstract
Background: We wondered whether “spiritual dryness” as a specific phase of “spiritual crisis” or insecurity is mostly a matter only of Catholic priests or can also be found in other pastoral professionals. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, we measured the prevalence of spiritual dryness in non-ordained Catholic pastoral workers, and identified relevant predictors. Results: In a sample of 3.277 pastoral workers, 50% would occasionally experience phases of spiritual dryness, while 13% experience it often or even regularly. There were no significant differences between women and men, professions, or age groups. The best predictors of spiritual dryness were low transcendence perception and a low sense of coherence (both are resources), as well as depressive symptoms and stress perception (both are demands or stressors), which would explain 41% of the variance. Self-efficacy expectation and social support were not among the significant predictors. Conclusion: Both the proportions and the main predictors are similar compared to Catholic priests. It is thus not the underlying profession or vocation and the related life situation or differences in social support, but predominantly specific perceptions, feelings, and attitudes that are related to the phenomenon of spiritual dryness—and these can be found in all pastoral professionals who seriously live their spirituality.
Highlights
What is going on, and what does it mean to pastoral workers, either priests or non-ordained, who professionally care for the spiritual health and support of their parishioners, when they lose their own faith or may experience phases of spiritual insecurity or “spiritual dryness”?Among other consequences, this may decrease their capacity to care for others
In our sample of non-ordained Catholic pastoral professionals, we found that 50% would occasionally experience phases of spiritual dryness, while 13% experience it often or even regularly
These proportions are similar compared to Catholic priests of whom 46% reported feelings of spiritual dryness occasionally and 12% often or regularly [2]
Summary
This may decrease their capacity to care for others When such phases are transient and they are able to overcome them, these experiences may be important for their own spiritual development, and helpful for their ministry because they can better understand parishioners’ spiritual struggles or existential problems ( theoretically, but experientially). Conclusion: Both the proportions and the main predictors are similar compared to Catholic priests It is not the underlying profession or vocation and the related life situation or differences in social support, but predominantly specific perceptions, feelings, and attitudes that are related to the phenomenon of spiritual dryness—and these can be found in all pastoral professionals who seriously live their spirituality
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