The lived experience of men who leave the ministerial priesthood of the roman catholic church and enter into a committed heterosexual relationship

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to provide a deeper understanding of the lived experience of men who have "resigned" from active ministry and entered into committed heterosexual relationships. To explore this phenomenon the author used a qualitative Heuristic methodology. Data in this study was derived from the author's personal experiences and participant interviews with other men who had "left" the priesthood. The composite depiction and creative synthesis present the main concepts emerging from the interviews. The findings suggest that all men within this particular study were sincere in their desire to fulfill their vocation to the priesthood. Since "leaving", each participant has viewed the process of incorporating one's priesthood into their new life-state role is vital. Learning to transition upon "exit" and incorporate their priesthood into their secular roles was seen as a continuation of their call to serve.