Hur gick det sen?

Abstract

What happened after? A study of the careers of priests within the Church of Sweden who have been assigned a rebuke or probationary period.   The purpose of this study is to examine whether a rebuke or probationary time affects the careers of priests within the Church of Sweden. It is the diocesan chapter that decides on such measures. The reason may be a breach of consecration vows or that the priest has damaged the esteem of ordained ministry to a great extent. The purpose is primarily to protect the congregations from unsuitable priests. The career of a study group of 35 priests who received a rebuke or probationary period was compared with a control group of 42 priests, who were reported to the diocesan chapter but where the case did not lead to any action. Data were collected for every three years 2004–2019. The priests have been followed through a register­­ study for up to 10 years or until retirement. The careers of priests in the study group are negatively affected. For five years they have an average lower position. The year after the decision, about 25% are without employment in the church. After five years, the careers of these priests are on a par with the careers of the control group. The results indicate that priests in the study group have a worse career than the priests in the control group. This is particularly obvious in the first five years after the decision. The purpose of the disciplinary decisions is partly fulfilled by the fact that these priests for a period do not work within the church. This study is one of the few, which examines the careers of professionals who have received some form of reprimand. It thus constitutes a new contribution to the research on professionals.