Catholic Therapists: A New Direction for Psychology
By now we’ve all heard the stories of whistle blower priests being bullied into checking into the diocesan-approved treatment center for “evaluation.” Or perhaps the seminarian or diocesan priest branded a sexual deviant, by the shrinks hired to screen him, for opposing women’s ordination or the Lavender Mafia. More recently, priests who have been falsely accused of misconduct and removed from ministry without due process find themselves bullied into the diocesan gulag for evaluation.
Here’s an entry from the Opus Bono Sacerdotii FAQ:
22. I have a priest friend who is looking for some counseling help, but he is scared to death to go to the bishop or any other brother priest, especially any one associated with the diocese. He, and I agree, is afraid that the minute you let the bishop or diocese in, he’ll/they’ll, remove the priest and his name will be disseminated all over the media and elsewhere. Furthermore, treatment centers are just as bad since they report to the bishop and are paid for by the diocese and I’ve heard some real sad stories about these places. Do you have any advice on him seeking counsel? Are there any good priest psychologists that can be trusted and are loyal to the teachings of the Church and the Holy Father?
There are very few priest psychologists/psychiatrists available. Many qualified Catholic mental health professionals help priests in this country. To find a Catholic therapist in your area who share your convictions in integrating the truths of the Catholic faith into their practice we highly recommend visiting www.catholictherapists.com.
Residential treatment is rarely indicated unless a priest is suicidal or severely incapacitated. We have priests go to psychologists from other parts of the country, take hospitality near a counselor’s center and participate in intensive 4 day per week outpatient psychotherapy. Also many priests are treated on the phone from different parts of the country and this has been very succesful. The most common conflicts in priests are those of loneliness, low male confidence, anxiety and mistrust. I’d recommend priests read the article our advisor Dr. Rick Fitzgibbons wrote in The Priest on resolving loneliness in priestly life which can be found at www.maritalhealing.com/ResolvingLoneliness.pdf.
It’s no wonder that many priests in crisis are apprehensive about seeking help for depression or anxiety triggered by the intense trauma of being falsely accused. Some commit suicide.
Follow Fr. John Zuhlsdorf’s commentary and discussion on the abuse of psychological screening by the Lavender Mafia to keep REAL MEN out of the Catholic priesthood:
Fr John Zuhlsdorf: Holy See on use of psychology in priestly formation
As Joe Maher mentioned in his FAQ at Opus Bono Sacerdotii (read about them here), the most common conflicts in priests are:
- Loneliness
- Low Male Confidence
- Anxiety
- Mistrust
joemaher(at)opusbono(dot)org
Fr. Joe’s Blog featured a great post referencing the gulags:
Retrospective on Clergy Child Abuse
Related posts
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.
Related posts
Bl. Bartolo Longo
If you’re someone who’s had a run in with the official hierarchy for doing the right thing . . . or you’re someone who’s plagued by despair because of your collaboration in pure evil . . . and you’re someone who suffers from a serious bout of depression and anxiety over this . . . Blessed Bartolo Longo’s biography will comfort you. Learn how to live in Divine Mercy through the Rosary. Read on.
The Rosary: The Devil’s Defeat
Vultus Christi Blog Post on Blessed Bartolo Longo
Blessed Bartolo Longo Biography By Gennaro Auletta (Buy English Trans. here)
