15/11/2025
Priests struggle emotionally, too
While parishioners are encouraged to nurture their faith and spiritual well-being, priests are expected to embody strength, patience, and availability at all times, regardless of their inner struggles, and yet they are often judged harshly
—if he begins mass on time, his watch is advanced;
if he’s late, he keeps people waiting;
if he renovates the church, he spends too much;
if he doesn’t, everything falls apart;
if he’s with women, he’s a pl***oy;
if with men, he’s gay;
if with children, he’s a pe*****le;
if with old women, he’s a mama’s boy;
if distant, he’s a snob;
if with old people, he’s out of touch;
if with young people, he’s out of place;
if he takes long in confession, he’s slow;
if short, he’s uncaring;
if he preaches long, he’s boring;
if short, he’s unprepared;
if his voice is loud, he’s shouting;
if soft, he’s hard;
if he owns a car, he’s worldly;
if not, he’s impractical;
if he visits families, he’s neglectful;
if he doesn’t, he’s uncaring;
if he asks for donations, he’s materialistic;
if he doesn’t, he’s proud;
if he’s young, he’s inexperienced;
if old, he should retire;
if he says sorry, he’s insincere;
if he doesn’t, he’s callous.
And through all this, the silent truth remains—priests are always wrong in the eyes of many, yet they carry silent burdens, emotional fatigue, and vulnerabilities that often go unnoticed, needing support and compassion just like anyone else.
We need to understand that priests are people too—men with strengths and weaknesses, capable of mistakes, deserving of prayers, and burdened by unrealistic expectations.
It takes a special man to answer God’s call to the priesthood, and in a world that glamorizes power, pleasure, and self-indulgence, their courage, sacrifice, and self-denial often go unrecognized, making it all the more important to remember that priests, despite their human flaws, are serving as God’s messengers.
Let us pray for and support our priests not just during obvious challenges or difficult moments, but also during the seemingly good times when everything appears smooth and peaceful.
It reminds us that priests face ongoing struggles, inner doubts, and hidden burdens even when life seems favorable. Supporting them consistently—through prayer, kindness, and understanding—helps them stay strong, grounded in their faith and vocation, and acknowledges that their spiritual journey is ongoing, requiring our ongoing care and appreciation regardless of the circumstances.
