A young priest put an end to his life. A fact that has troubled and made too much to speak.
Because if the silence It is the too quick suture of a wound and it is not normal or right (wounds must be supposed and to heal over time), Words can be empty or discounted. They are seasoned with commiseration, of punishment, with the unspoken of the “who knows why”, which can be poisonous.
They are hasty and low voice because you season with moralismas if a firmness, consistency and awareness of being a bright example was expected from a priest. As if a priest was not a man, therefore fragile, or sick, or exhausted, to confuse the reason and the reasons for a decision for life, and eternal life.
But Too many wordsfolded to comment on authoritative newspapers, they try to explain the tragedy of sudden suicide and worn with thin or more declared controversy. The target is the usual: the Church.
That is not in step with the times. Who does not understand the needs of modernity. Which does not offer adequate psychological supports. Which does not allow priests to marry (you always end there) to be less alone.
It is, to reflect, of absurdity: the Church has never been to the step with the times that the world forced it pushes it, but for 2000 years it has always been in your timeresponding to the challenges, with the errors and blessings of one’s time.
There modernity What does he ask, indeed he demands from men and women, therefore also from priests? To conform to a common thought, to transform every desire into law, to expose yourself on social media, to always be on the piece.
Maybe the Church felt free from its conditioning.
There psychology Then it is a noble science, of great help. But psychologize too much, reducing every weakness to problem, every difficulty, are we sure is the necessary support?
Or not rather aaccurate skimming of vocationsbefore and during the seminars, with a healthy and wise realism, why should the numbers never be a goal?
Of course, the works. But a priest must not be considered one that covers all holes, in the parishes, in the activities, in the missions.
The harvest is a lot and the workers are few. We ask the Lord who sends the workers for his messee, not for ours. Remembering that we are all the workers, not just the priests.
As for celibacyit would be terrible to support a fragile man on a woman, hoping to solve her problems. There are already many unhappy weddings.
The choice of Suicide of a young priest It must not have easy decisive responses. Let us let burnto teach us to want our priests more well, not to give them up if we no longer need it.
That Burn in the heart of the shepherds of the Church: because they don’t forget to be fathers, children, not of officials; Children who must always be confirmed, with the spiritual direction, the fraternity, the profound knowledge, because each one are entrusted with tasks proportionate to their talents, their strength.
And the first task It is not “knowing how to do”but be witnesses of the grace received.
(Photo above: Istock)
