Guide to Ongoing Formation for Priests (Ascension)

GOFP 263

APPENDIX B A Tool to Evaluate When a Priest Requires Assistance

260 At the end of initial formation, diocesan bishops and their delegates generally know their priests and can provide them with appropriate support and guidance. However, over time everyone experiences the accumulative effect of various pressures that affect physical, psychological, and spiritual health. The key is to recognize and cope with stressors, so that their impact may be negligible. A PRIEST’S HEALTH INVENTORY 261 This inventory invites a priest to comment as needed within five areas: physical health, emotional health, social support, ministerial environment, and spiritual health. Physical Health Problems 262 Eating: Eating too much or too little is not uncommon with a mood problem, such as anxiety, depression, or general difficulty with modulating emotions. Two key issues to evaluate are (a) the percentage of weight lost or gained unintentionally and (b) the loss of control over eating decisions. A 5 to 10 percent change in weight can indicate depression or significant anxiety. 263 Sleeping: Although the need for sleep varies greatly, a priest who consistently gets an hour or two more or less than is normal (for that person) or who struggles with falling asleep or staying asleep

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