Do you think an introvert is suitable to become a priest?

[Rutherford2]

This is just a hypothetical question and it is in no way directed to any real person. Nor am I implying that I wanted to become a priest.

So, as a priest do you think that he should be extrovert so that people will not be scared to approach him and speak to him?

 

[JulianN]

Studies have shown that the majority of US priests are introverts. No problem!

 

[JHFamily]

Certainly not. Our current pastor has been a priest for 10+ years, and he still keeps his eyes fixed above the congregation during a homily. But he’s a terrific priest, and I find him more approachable than an extrovert.

 

[Roguish]

Do you think an introvert is suitable to become a priest?

Yes, most definitely. In fact, generally speaking introverts are more suitable than extroverts for the priesthood.

So, as a priest do you think that he should be extrovert

No. A priest isn’t a practical counseler, nor a “pal”, nor an organizer of church events, nor a spokesman for the Church. He’s a dispenser of sacraments, someone who conducts rituals. All other aspects of the priesthood are very much secondary to this.

so that people will not be scared to approach him and speak to him?

An introvert isn’t necessarily someone who is hard to approach. Being introverted doesn’t mean looking grumpy, being gruff, or otherwise hard to approach. An introvert is just someone who naturally tends to focus on his inner life, while an extrovert is someone who naturally tends to focus on his outer experience. Someone who focuses on his inner life is usually more, not less, qualified to give spiritual advice.

 

[Rutherford2]

What about a shy person?

 

[BoomBoomMancini]

Being an introvert doesn’t mean you’re shy. That’s a common misunderstanding.

Anyway, someone who is so painfully shy that they get nervous when people approach them is probably ill suited to the priesthood. The priesthood involves lots of interaction with people and public speaking.

 

[Roguish]

What about a shy person?

Even a shy person can make a good priest, given time and guidance. Conducting a ritual is something very different from giving a performance or a show. This isn’t just a matter of different words. When conducting a ritual, a good priest is psychologically in a “place” that’s totally, radically different from the place that a performer is in when giving a show. A properly disposed priest does not perceive the laity attending Mass as his “audience”, nor does it enter into his mind that he might be “good” at “performing” the Mass or “not so good”. Shyness arises from the fear of being judged – and indeed in daily life we get judged a heck of a lot, and often unfairly, so I understand shy people. But a priest is focused on God, not on laity present as potential critics.

Anyway, the way seminarians are taught how to say Mass (and do a baptism, etc.) is a lenghty training process of several years that practically ensures that they are always in the proper state of mind when saying Mass (or another ritual), and that shyness or other concerns for the perceptions of others do not enter into their thoughts.

 

[Shakuhachi]

Actually, someone who is painfully shy can still become a very good priest. There is more potential for the transforming grace of Christ. I am thinking about the conversion fo St Francis. What was bitter became sweet.

And I speak of personal experience. I was very introverted, shy, uncomfortable, whatever you want to call it…off the chart introvert. I am not a priest but I did go to seminary and I also took Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). It involved public speaking as well as knocking on hospital room doors, entering the personal Iives of complete strangers in the most awkward of situations as hospital chaplain. What was at first bitter became sweet for 25 years.

 

[BoomBoomMancini]

That’s good to hear :+1:t2:

 

[WingsOfEagles]

Yes, I think an introvert can make a great priest. I’m an introverted teacher, but when I’m in teacher mode, I can totally do everything I need to with gusto. It should be noted that introvert and shy are not synonomous. I’m introverted, but only a little shy. However, even painfully shy people can learn to be in front of others. An introverted personality might be very suited to the priesthood given they cannot marry and are sometimes assigned to live in houses by themself. It can be a lonely lifestyle.

 

[ColorMomma]

We need all kinds of priests. Introverts can be great listeners and process decisions in methodical ways.

 

[tafan2]

I consider myself an introvert, if you put me in a room with people I don’t do very well, I am not very talkative. Someone I don’t know walks up and talks to me, I can do just fine in a conversation, but I have a hard time starting any conversation with people I don’t know that well.
I have a very good friend who is a priest and he is also an introvert, similar to me, IMO. I remember when he was first assigned to pastor of our parish (he has since moved on) I was on the finance committee and had met and talked to him a couple of times because of that. We had a school event one night in the gym and most of the school parents were present. I was off to the side talking to a couple of friends, one of whom was on the finance committee. Up walked father to visit with us. It wasn’t afterwards that my wife told me she saw him come into the gym, look around, and not know what to do. He spotted us, a couple of people he knew and made a beeline for us. That’s a typical introvert. Now, he is a wonderful priest. If anyone calls him up for an appointment or just approaches him, he is always open and never comes across as awkward. But he has little ability (same as I) to start a random conversation with a stranger. It has no affect on him being a good priest.

 

[GospelOfMatthew]

Just because someone is introverted doesn’t mean they get nervous around crowds or talking with people so I don’t think it applies. Introverted means you get energy by being by yourself and extroverted gets its from others.

I’m extroverted (only extrovert in my family) and have zero problem with public speaking, I actually enjoy it, and I think really quickly on my feet and like talking in crowds (always was a class clown) But in the 1-1 conversations especially with females (I’m 20YO) I get very nervous beforehand and analyze it like crazy to try and plan what I’m gonna say lol. So just because I’m extroverted doesn’t mean I am the best at socializing in every situation, just like an introvert doesn’t just hide in the corner lol. So for a priest I don’t think it matters, there are outgoing introverts and shy extroverts.

From my experience, introverts are also less likely to take things personally which could be really helpful for a priest who has to interact with people who may like or hate him. As an extrovert, I take too many things personally and it gets me nervous (I also have one of the most common personality types for women and I’m a guy lol - ESFJ)

 

[semper_catholicus]

Even if a man is shy (Like me. I’m fairly shy), that doesn’t necessarily mean that he cannot become a priest or is ill-suited for the priesthood. One thing to take into account is the grace that comes with the sacraments of Holy Orders, which will help the priest to carry out all of his duties such as offering mass, hearing confession, administering the other sacraments as the obvious ones, but graces such as being able to preach, five conferences for the benefit of his flock, Irving advice in confession etc. can also be given, depending on how well he works in his preparation, becuase grace builds on nature.

 

[Allegra]

Why would anyone be scared to approach an introvert? Some people seem to have confused the terms “introvert” and “jerk, devoid of all social skills”. While some people who fall into the later category may like to blame their rudeness on “introversion”, that really isn’t a thing. An introvert is simply a personality who requires a higher level of time to themselves to think, process, reflect, pray, etc. This is actually a good thing for a priest. It doesn’t imply social anxiety, misenthropy, anti-social behaviors, a lack of sympathy, autistic tendencies, a need for complete silence in order to concentrate, or any of the other extreme characteristics of disorder that are often attributed to it. It is merely one of several typical personality types. Introverts do not require special care or for people to be on egg shells around them.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’ve run into priests on all parts of the spectrum. I’m more comfortable with the less gregarious type person because it matches my own personality. There’s clearly no one personality type that makes for a good priest.

Someone mentioned one day that he had an incredible spiritual director, a priest I know to be the most outgoing person I’ve ever met. My first reaction was to wonder how he got a word in edgewise when dealing with this particular priest. I guess he knows when to tone it down and listen to someone.