SMN Priests’ Attitudes About Quality of Preparation for Confirmation

Abstract

The study is based on the analysis of results from an empirical research conducted among priests of the Archdiocese of Split-Makarska in May 2024, with a purpo-sive sample of 97 respondents (N=97), representing over 25% of the priest popula-tion involved in pastoral care of confirmands within the archdiocese. The research was carried out using a survey method (group questionnaire) among priests gathe-red at the priestly assembly 2024, in Vepric. The objective of the research was to question their attitudes on actual model of preparation for confirmation and its possibilities to change. The study is based on four hypotheses: it is assumed that the primary goal for all participants in the Confirmation preparation is to help con-firmands build a personal relationship with Christ; it is also assumed that youn-ger priests, as well as those working in urban areas, emphasize the importance of incorporating current social issues into Confirmation preparation to a greater extent; it is further assumed that younger priests are more creative in using vario-us methods and tools for Confirmation preparation and that they report a higher level of professional satisfaction when working with confirmands compared to the-ir older colleagues. The research results largely confirmed a connection between the variable of age and the use of means in Confirmation preparation, personal satis-faction, openness to society, and opinions on the appropriateness of age for Confir-mation. On the other hand, no impact was found of the participants’ age and the place of their activity (rural, suburban, urban) in relation to what they consider most important in Confirmation preparation. Recognizing the kairotic elements arising from the research, the author also offers some concrete proposals in the dis-cussion on how to make Confirmation preparation as missionary and synodal as possible, serving as a place for building and preparing for the daily living of faith.