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Surveys of Presbyterates. CARA’s mailed questionnaires to presbyterates assist dioceses with pastoral planning and understanding the needs of their priests.  These surveys are typically conducted with all diocesan priests, including those who are retired, and with religious priests active in parish ministry.  CARA adapts the questions to meet the needs of the diocese.  Most dioceses that have used this service in the past have been particularly interested in understanding presbyteral attitudes about how to address parish ministry in a time of fewer priests.  Many are also interested in priests’ morale, satisfaction with ministry, concerns about retirement issues, and interest in continuing formation. Contact Paul Perl, Research Associate, about CARA’s presbyteral surveys.

Dioceses considering a presbyteral survey may also be interested in conducting it through part of a larger program, “Cultivating Unity.”  CARA has recently begun collaborating with the National Organization for Continuing Education of Roman Catholic Clergy (NOCERCC) on a new initiative for dioceses and religious institutes of men entitled “Cultivating Unity: The Presbyterate and the Bishop.”  The purpose of the program is to strengthen solidarity among priests and between priests and their bishop.  The centerpiece of Cultivating Unity is a convocation where presbyteral unity is addressed through presentations, group discussion, prayer, and reflection.  CARA will be responsible for a research component of Cultivating Unity.  Participating dioceses will have the option of conducting written questionnaires and listening sessions in advance of the convocation.  These will provide an initial understanding of priests’ views of unity in their local presbyterate.  Cultivating Unity is being piloted in a few dioceses during 2004 and will afterward be offered to all dioceses.

More information: CARA’s presbyteral surveys

For further information about Cultivating Unity, contact Fr. Stephen J. Fichter, CARA Research Associate, or Jim Alphen of NOCERCC (312-226-1890 / jalphen@nocercc.org).