Priests’ Ethnic and Cultural Backgrounds and Servant Leadership Style in Supporting Catholic Schools

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Research Supporting Professionals in Catholic Education (Table 7)

Abstract

This study examines priests’ ethnic and cultural backgrounds and servant leadership styles in supporting Catholic schools. A quantitative study was conducted on the northeastern arch/diocesan and religious priests. The result indicates that there is no significant difference among priests’ ethnic and cultural backgrounds in exercising servant leadership, F(3, 156) = .834, p = > .05. Priests support Catholic schools regardless of cultural backgrounds, F(3, 156) = 1.466, p = > .05. However, priests’ servant leadership strongly predict their support for Catholic schools, b = .371, t(158) = 3.168, p = .002. These results manifest the urgency for servant leadership training both seminarians and priests in active ministry for a thriving and sustaining Catholic education and vibrant priestly ministry.

Authors

• Charez Bandao Gringco, Archdiocese of Newark

• Gerald M. Cattaro, Fordham University