We all want flourishing churches and active, healthy clergy. But sometimes we forget that this doesn’t just happen on its own. It takes real work, support, and investment from the entire community.
Recently, a young priest, Fr. Matteo from Italy, tragically took his own life. Sadly, this is not an isolated event. The mental and emotional strain on clergy today is immense.
Around 70% of pastors report struggling with depression.
Over 70% report feeling burned out.
Studies show that PTSD rates among clergy can be higher than among soldiers returning from war.
In one recent survey, 12–18% of clergy reported suicidal thoughts.
Here in Germany, we keep seeing parishes merged, clergy numbers cut, and priests stretched thinner and thinner. We often hear the phrase, “This church is no longer sustainable,” but instead of investing in the parish and its people, we spread our clergy across 3, 4, sometimes 5 parishes, leaving them exhausted and isolated.
Pastors are called to be fully present in their communities, living life alongside their people. But how can they do that when they are constantly on the road, running from crisis to crisis, and barely able to keep their own spiritual and mental health intact?
Praying for our clergy is essential—but prayer alone is not enough. We must also care for them practically:
Provide rest and sabbaticals.
Invest in their ongoing formation and mental health.
Support them with staff and volunteers.
Fund parishes to reduce the crushing workload.
Rather than spreading our money thin across too many buildings and programs, invest deeply into a parish and its people. A well-supported parish grows and flourishes. A starving parish leads to burnout, collapse—and ultimately, the death of the parish and the priest.
If we want flourishing churches, we must first make sure the people leading them are healthy, supported, and loved.