https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145891 2026-06-06T01:24:35Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145986 Title: Sex and the clergy : an insider perspective on celibacy and loneliness in the priesthood Abstract: In order to become a priest or religious, one has to take various decisions that could affect their life trajectory. These decisions invariably have an impact on one’s life, self-concept, and mental health. Celibacy in the Catholic priesthood, whether voluntary or involuntary, has been a point of contention for decades. Research on the intersection of celibacy and loneliness is lacking, especially in the Maltese context. Hence, this study aimed to explore whether celibacy contributes to loneliness in priests, and what other factors might be contributing to loneliness in this subset of the Maltese population, through the lens of Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory. Through a mixed methods approach, this question was explored in two concurrent phases. The quantitative phase involved a survey (n = 149) measuring attitudes towards celibacy, masculine norms, and feelings of loneliness. The qualitative phase involved interviews with eight priests from different orders exploring their experiences of celibacy. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to extract themes from this data. Qualitative and quantitative results were triangulated and the result of this process indicated that celibacy is contributing to loneliness in priests, however there are other factors that could give rise to their poor wellbeing. These may include several factors such as the lack of close networks, the stereotypes that priests face, and the length of time spent in the priesthood. Moreover, priests describe loneliness in complicated ways that are independent of their celibacy practices. Through interviews the difference between well-integrated and poorly integrated celibacy also emerged, and the subsequent effects that each can have on a priest’s life. The desire to marry emerged from the narratives of some priests, but not all. The findings present several implications for practice, emphasising the need for structural reforms, more open conversations, and a stronger emphasis on mental health at every stage of formation in order to decrease loneliness in priests and religious. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z