I haven’t had time to post anything in three days. Life is busy. I was on the road yesterday and today, and have been enjoying and consumed by family gatherings and celebrations.
I and others had the good fortune of hearing an excellent homily this morning given by Deacon Kevin from the Diocese of Green Bay. His presentation style was great and his points were well-made with a simplicity that all could enjoy.
I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between Deacon Kevin’s appearance and liturgical manner and that of the presiding priest. I think Father was a bit preoccupied or something. His health was obviously not the best either despite his relative youth, so he had to lean against a kneeler as he prayed the Eucharistic Prayer.
I don’t know what it is really. Perhaps the life of a parish priest is so much more emotionally and physically draining than that of a deacon, but we married men and fathers know from first hand experience that living the life of a husband and dad can at times be quite demanding. We permanent deacons who still maintain a career in addition to our family responsibilities and our diaconal ministry in parishes or the wider community know that 14 – 18 hour days are not uncommon. What is it then, that seems to exhaust our priests?
In light of the subject matter of my last post (by the way, that story remains in the local headlines), I can’t help but wonder what we can do to better encourage and support our priests, and what they can do to maintain their physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Any thoughts from you, the readers of this weblog?
As long as the focus is on supporting priests and/or other hierarchy and trying to find reasons/excuses for their abuse, instead of worrying about the children nothing will change.
Mothers are on call 24 hours a day which can be emotionally and physically exhausting so it isn’t the priest’s job itself that is the problem. The church needs to stop dragging its feet and settle all abuse cases. The bishops who moved around abusers multiplied the poblem yet to my knowledge none of them were reprimanded. A few did resign or retire.
I almost wish I were an ostrich and could stick my head in the sand and not have to deal with any of this any more.
Good point about keeping our focus on the children. Excellent point too about the demands of parenthood!
Sexual misconduct of priests is sort of like the BP problem in the Gulf of Mexico: We have got to seal the well and figure out why it happened and how to stop it. It cannot keep gushing. Whatever it costs it has to be done. We also have to heal the damage and tend to the victims. Both are important responsibilities.
Bob,
Read today’s Ironic Catholic about the “Tired Mother”. A new idea!