Date

5-23-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision (PhD)

Chair

Joy M. Mwendwa

Keywords

sub-Saharan African catholic priests, COVID-19 pandemic, burnout, compassion fatigue, Schlossberg's transition theory, transcendental phenomenology, acculturation, church leadership

Disciplines

Counseling

Abstract

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) has disrupted significant aspects of societal life worldwide, forcing individuals, communities, health organizations, educational institutions, consumer industries, and governments all over the world into unprecedented challenges. Likewise, religious organizations like the Catholic Church were not spared. African Catholic priests in the United States provide pastoral ministries in US dioceses and parishes, fulfilling the roles of shepherding their congregations and offering spiritual, moral, social, and emotional support in times of great adversity, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to explore how sub-Saharan African Catholic priests describe their lived experiences before, during, and after the COVID-19 global pandemic in the United States. Data was collected from 10 Catholic priests from sub-Saharan Africa using semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Data analysis was conducted with epoché from Moustaka, and four main themes emerged: distress, ministry disruptions, cultural alienation, and lack of support. These findings will provide educators and professional counselors adequate multicultural competency services to African (international) students and clients in times of adversity.

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