The book's conclusions are based on a survey of 2,482 priests from 23 U.S. dioceses in 2009, supplemented by a 2004 survey of 1,242 priests from 16 dioceses and other studies. The research found, among other things, that priests are "no more and no less depressed than anyone else in the world," "a little bit better than the laity" in studies that measure human intimacy and "quite a bit lower than the general population" in the degree that they are experiencing emotional burnout, the priest said.

More than 90 per cent of priests said they receive the emotional support they need, 83 per cent said they are able to share problems and feelings and only 22 per cent said they are lonely. The vast majority of priests cited lay friends as one of their major supports.

"That's what priests do — make relationships," Rossetti said.

He expressed concern, however, that 42 per cent of priests in the 2004 survey — "and probably more than 50 per cent today" — said they "feel overwhelmed by the amount of work they have to do."

"We need to do something about that," he said. "We need to get together with the bishops and say, 'Let's talk about this.' ”

Rossetti said the primary source of happiness for priests is "a powerful spiritual life" and "a connection to God and His people."

"When you get closer to the Lord you build friendships," he said. "If you don't love the God image in the person next to you, how can you love a God you cannot see?"

Those who said they engage in private prayer for up to an hour each day are "less emotionally exhausted, less depressed, less likely to be obese and less likely to be lonely," he said.

He said younger priests are more likely to participate in "traditional prayer practices" such as eucharistic adoration and recitation of the rosary, but not out of a desire to return to a pre-Vatican II Church. They also are much more likely than those in the middle years of their priesthood to affirm the value of celibacy.

"Mandatory celibacy may be waning as a hot-button issue for priests," Rossetti said, citing its support among 81 per cent of priests ordained less than 10 years ago but only 38 per cent of priests ordained between 30 and 40 years ago.

The priest said he is not sure why there is such resistance in the media to the idea that priests are happy, despite the evidence. He said many in the media believe that "religion stifles humanity and personal freedom" and subscribe to what he called "eat your peas theology." In the same way that children are told to "eat your peas" in order to get dessert, some believe that "God rewards us for doing this miserable thing," as they see religion, he said. That viewpoint doesn't jibe with the idea of happy priests, he added.