.
MANY times since I started writing for TraleeToday people have asked me to cover different topics, some I take on board and others I ignore.
Last week a friend told me about an article that she read about priests. I thought that this would be one of the topics that I would ignore, but I read the article and felt compelled to write about it.
My grandfather’s brother was a Bishop and was a man I had huge love and admiration for. He was an educated, knowledgeable man and had a great sense of humour that captivated us regaling the stories of his travels. He passed away over 20 years ago and certainly left a void with all who knew him.
Continued below…
.
Today there is seldom anything positive written in the general media about priests and this is an injustice to all the good men who have devoted their lives to God.
I completely understand some people who hate the church and everything it stands for in light of the horrendous abuse that was suffered by many unfortunates and how the cover-up only added to their suffering. I am by no means condoning this vile behaviour but there are plenty of good men also in the church.
In times of tragedy and sadness we nearly all turn to the church for consolation. The article that I read asks the question “Whom can the clergy turn to?” It is a very valid point.
Continued below…
.
Due to the dwindling numbers of recruits to the priesthood, the workload for the priests has doubled and in some cased trebled. They now find themselves looking after two or more parishes, twice as many parishioners and with little or no support from their comrades as they too have a heavy workload.
“You are never alone but often lonely” was a very powerful quote from a priest and it is a very poignant one. Many priests find themselves in isolated areas in big houses that were once filled with fellow clergymen and now are a symbol of the lonely life they lead.
Alcoholism is a growing problem within the priesthood as they deal with loneliness and an ever-increasing workload. Depression amongst priests is also on the rise, which unfortunately in many cases has led to suicide.
Often the priest has no one to turn to and it is not as though they can take a day off like other professions. There is always a funeral, wedding, christening, mass, tragedy, or celebration of some sort to attend and the local priest really is on call 24-seven.
There are so many good men who are priests and should not be condemned for the acts of their fellow priests. Just like every walk of life be it teachers, guards, nurses, politicians or doctors, there will be some who destroy the trust we once had in their profession. This does not mean that we should lose faith in all of them.
Until next week,
Be kind to the man who may be crippled with loneliness!
Orlagh xx
Orlagh,
A parishioner friend alerted me to your article, ‘Why we shouldn’t lose faith in our priests.’ I happen to be one of that group (Abbeydorney Parish) and I commend you on your balanced and sympathetic treatment of the topic. I feel you might have gone over the top a little in a few statements and I would be concerned that some readers of your piece might feel we should be canonised, even before dying!
I refer to the two sentences, starting with ‘Often the priest has no one to turn to……’ Yes, he hasn’t a wife or a partner who can offer a listening ear and a supportive hug but I would hate to feel that any of my colleagues would be of the view that they have no one to turn to at a time of crisis, whether personal or work-related.
‘it is not as though they can take a day off like other professions…….’ I think the priest who claims he cannot take a day off is not living in the real world. For some years now, most priests working in parishes (generally called diocesan priests, as distinct from members of Religious Orders) have a system in place where a colleague in the Pastoral Area (grouping of 4-5 parishes) will be available to stand in for his fellow-priest on his day off, or if something arises that necessitates his being away from the parish unexpectedly. That system is similar to that operated (excuse the pun!) by doctors and others who do not wish to run a one-person show.
‘the local priest really is on call 24-seven.’ I think I have answered that above in relation to taking a day-off.