A dog is not a priest's best friend, according to psychologists. A study has shown that Catholic priests who own dogs are likely to be more stressed than those without.
However, it's not all bad news for potential pet-owning priests. While cats don't help them relax, they don't make them feel any worse. The research, published in the international journal Mental Health, Religion and Culture, examined the links between pet ownership and work-related psychological pressures.
Surveying clergy in England and Wales, it found that many were so over-worked that owning a dog only added to their daily burden and increased the possibilities of "emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation".
The study surveyed 1,482 Catholic parochial clergy, with researchers particularly interested in discovering if owning a pet would act as an antidote to the personal and social loneliness of single, celibate men. However, the results showed that, unlike with other professions, owning a cat made no difference, while owning a dog brought extra stresses.
Prof Leslie J Francis, who conducted the research at the University of Wales, said: "These findings show just how stressed clergy really are in today's society. For many people, companion animals help them to unwind after the days work. Companion animals help in relaxation and refreshment. Many clergy, however, are now so severely overworked that they simply do not have time for prayer, rest and relaxation.
"Having a companion animal in the house simply adds to the build-up of pressure. Walking, feeding, caring for the dog can be the last straw that breaks the camel's back."
Dr Christopher Lewis from the school of psychology at the University of Ulster and journal co-editor said: "Clergy are often seen as one of the last professions that could suffer from work-related stress, unfortunately this couldn't be further from the truth.
"The Christian church is an institution that is rooted in the past, but working in the present day for a future end."
