The Centre for Interdisciplinary Health Research (CIIS) and the Centre for Research in Theology and Religious Studies (CITER) of the Portuguese Catholic University are organizing a meeting to discuss the psychological well-being and personal fulfillment of religious leaders in Portugal.

At this meeting, a study will be presented which is the result of Janaina Fabri's PhD in Nursing, carried out at CIIS under the guidance of Silvia Caldeira, a collaborating researcher at CITER. This research is particularly relevant given that Portugal is the country in Western Europe with the highest percentage of the population identifying as Christian. The results allow religious leaders to better understand the experiences that have positive and negative effects on their ministry and personal lives. In addition, they offer a fundamental contribution to clerical training programs, with the aim of strengthening the mental health of clergy and reducing vulnerability to physical and psychological exhaustion.

The research also has implications for other areas, including the helping professions and mental health. The results could support seminary managers in implementing training that is more attentive to the well-being of seminarians, as well as contributing to the development of prevention strategies and early identification of burnout symptoms.