Fr. John Zuhlsdorf: Christmas Gifts for Priests
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf on Christmas Gifts for Priests
This issue of taking care of priests is today a sore spot for me, and I am very glad the writer led with this.
I just read a story in the Italian press about a tragic death of a priest in Rome. An African priest, 30 years old from Zimbabwe, died alone in his room and he was not found until three days later. No one had bothered to check or find out why he hadn’t been to meals or where he was.
Dead alone in a house full of priests.
This does not surprise me in the least.
Once in Rome I was stuck in my room for days, feverish and completely unable, too weak, to get out of bed, probably with pneumonia. I was terribly ill. There was no phone in the room and that was before cellphones were omnipresent. Not a single person checked on me, even though I lived in a clerical house. Not. A. Soul.
There are a lot of priests who bear a profound sense of isolation. Of course many are extremely active and social and sought after by their own families and others, but many have little or no family. They effectively have no one. Even other priests.
So I say this not just for Christmastime, but for the whole year:
Don’t forget your priests.
Even small gestures toward them can make a difference.
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Fr. Benedict Groeschel on What to Do When You Have Been Left Alone
I have been reading accounts of priests adjusting to their life on administrative leave without due process. Those recently suspended may still be reeling from the implications of being accused of misconduct and tossed out onto the street.
If you are one such priest, I urge you to contact Joe Maher with Opus Bono Sacerdotii immediately. All his details are on this Priests in Crisis site. There is no cost to you.
Some of you have stabilized your situation. You now have a place to live and food on your plate. You have the help of a canon lawyer and with your legal process thanks to Joe at OBS. Your anxiety and strong feelings of disgust and mistrust now take center stage.
If your anxiety about your future is becoming unbearable. I encourage you to contact one of the Catholic therapists located under the Catholic Counselors section to the right. If you don’t live near one, many now offer counseling over web cam. Fr. John Mulvey is one who offers this. If you can’t afford a therapist, contact Joe at OBS.
One thing I do recommend for all priests removed from ministry is to connect with your brother priests in the same situation. A support group of priests is coordinated by Opus Bono Sacerdotii. Just email them confidentially for moral and spiritual support:
priestnetwork(at)opusbono(dot)org
Then there are those of you who have grown weary waiting for news about your case. Disgust and contempt for your situation just requires too much effort now. You may be in your fourth or fifth year of waiting. Intense loneliness has set in.
These resources are for you. Your immediate needs have been met. Now perhaps your mind has quieted down enough to find solace in the Divine once more. Perhaps more so than at any other time, you are able to join your suffering with Christ’s.
I’m sure you’ve heard of the classic Arise from Darkness: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, priest and psychologist for priests. This book covers all the bases for the accused priest deprived of due process:
- When Friends Fail
- When Our Security is Threatened
- When the Church Let’s Us Down
- When We Are Our Own Worst Enemies
- When Death Robs Us
- When Everything Falls Apart
Well I’m going to be a spoiler and reveal the Epilogue: The Remedy That Always Works. Ready for it?
Get out of yourself and help somebody else.
During the June 6, 2008 episode of Sunday Night Live, Fr. Groeschel discussed what to do when you are left alone and you don’t want to be alone. He also took calls from people in this difficult situation. It is worth a listen:
What to Do When You Are Left Alone
Next time, I’ll post on Catherine Doherty mentioned by Fr. Groeschel during his broadcast.
