Can a person become a priest when they have a well controlled mental illness?

[WoundedIcon]

Maybe though a long shot but maybe Jesus is healing you?? It is real and it is possible. Keep on the meds and maybe one day you will be healed then you can go further in the process at a later date. Meanwhile maybe you can serve the Church in another capacity than priesthood at the moment. I am sure there are priests with mental issues just as there are priests with cancer diabetes type I and other stuff. At any rate keep the faith try to go to a healing Mass if you can and you never know you may be healed and or already being healed. Nothing I mean Nothing is impossible with God nothing!!! God Bless and I am praying for you for sure God bless Scoob.

Well, I noticed that when I received the anointing of the sick my mood swings considerably subsided, but I’m not so sure about the rest of the illness and don’t want to risk getting off the meds.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

Well, I noticed that when I received the anointing of the sick my mood swings considerably subsided, but I’m not so sure about the rest of the illness and don’t want to risk getting off the meds.

Absolutly!!! never ever!!! get of the meds unless your Doctor tells you otherwise. I didn’t mean to suggest that no no just saying maybe one day that may happen. Only the Doctor and God will know that. Not me not anyone else. Keep the faith Scoob.

 

[catharina]

I give up, you just won’t read what I said and you have never been in my shoes so lets agree to dissagree. God bless you and pray for me Scoob.

Wrong.
I’ve read every one of your posts on this thread.

Yet you, even as you insist you want to become a priest -
you seem to have no understanding of how you should give
support and undersatnding regarding Church practices.

Instead, you wail and moan - that practices don’t make you feel fine.
Terrific! Who said you are entitled to **feel fine **about it. You
might want to work on developting a better attitude - even under the
banner of “I really don’t understand this… .” To criticize again and
again and again because ‘some have their feelings hurt’ does not
exactly speak to maturity on your part; it seems like you have
one more day to mediatate on this issue, if I’m correct in recalling
that you will enter the seminary tomorrow. Bemoaning such things
**as a seminarian **will win you no sympathy. BUCK UP, MAN.

Lean on Our Lord Who was rejected in a thousand ways and a thousand times!

 

[Samson01]

Is this thread on topic anymore?

 

[auderyja]

Some people sound very cocky on here. If you look at Saturday’s Gospel reading according to Matthew,

"Then addressing the crowds and His disciples Jesus said, 'The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do and observe what they tell you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing a broader headbands and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted respectfully in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

'The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.’"

God bless us all.
I sympathise with scoob because majority on this thread refuse to “listen” to what he’s trying to say.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Some people sound very cocky on here. If you look at Saturday’s Gospel reading according to Matthew,

"Then addressing the crowds and His disciples Jesus said, 'The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do and observe what they tell you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing a broader headbands and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted respectfully in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

'The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.’"

God bless us all.
I sympathise with scoob because majority on this thread refuse to “listen” to what he’s trying to say.

First, we are not a Bible only Church. Actually the Bible is a product of the Church. So attempting to throw out proof texts for scripture seldom works especially for something complex.

I hear what he is saying but I disagree with it as it is not only not what the Church teaches but it is overly emotional and makes the determining factor of a call an individuals feelings and ignores any expertise the Church has developed in its 2000 or so history of vocational work.

 

[TrueLight]

Actually I feel a call to religious life and the priesthood. We will not know if I truly have such a call until my superior calls me forward to solemn vows. It is a hard thing but it is a fact.

I thought you were already a Religious?

 

[catharina]

Some people sound very cocky on here. If you look at Saturday’s Gospel reading according to Matthew,

"Then addressing the crowds and His disciples Jesus said, 'The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do and observe what they tell you; but do not be guided by what they do, since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up burdens and lay them on people’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing a broader headbands and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted respectfully in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

'The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be raised up.’"

God bless us all.
I sympathise with scoob because majority on this thread refuse to “listen” to what he’s trying to say.

Defending Church teachings, policies and practices is
the opposite of being cocky. We are all called to do it.

 

[WoundedIcon]

Honestly it’s very easy to do both. I was just getting cocky with liberals under my breath a few minutes ago!

But really, shouldn’t discernment happen before they discern someone unsuitable? We’re not talking about dogmatic theology here, we’re talking about a possible glitch in the way business is run sometimes. Anyways, if it were a Church-wide matter - one sees you unfit, the others do too - then the arguments being raised against scoob might work. But it isn’t a matter of the Church itself, or about the faith itself, it’s how some of its employees (!) are quite possibly screwing up. I find it interesting that one diocese had an issue with him, but another thinks he’s fine so far. He’s not arguing at all that if you feel called you must be - if they kicked him out of seminary I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d accept it, seeing as it is that they gave him a fair shake. He’s just saying that there should be fairness.

I mean, we don’t honestly think the business behind screening candidates is perfect, do we? It’s not like what they do now in screening candidates is the fruit of some process like the dogma of the Immaculate Conception or anything. If some pedophiles got by, how is it not possible that some good candidates slipped through the cracks?

Now here’s where I actually do question beliefs… are men really called to the priesthood, or are the simply chosen according to the fashion of the times? Or both? Maybe I could try tomorrow and be rejected, but wait twenty years for a different spirit in the air (prove myself and my recovery through college and work, etc.) and get accepted. I mean, it’s not like I’m saying that God can’t work with the bureaucracy of the times. Providence can certainly handle that. It just seems like, in the 70s they wouldn’t accept a person like me (too forward, aggressive, traditional, etc.) but maybe these days, with the Reform of the Reform going on, they’d just eat me up.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I thought you were already a Religious?

Yes I am a religious. A religious in temporary vows. I have not petitioned for solemn vows yet.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Honestly it’s very easy to do both. I was just getting cocky with liberals under my breath a few minutes ago!

But really, shouldn’t discernment happen before they discern someone unsuitable? We’re not talking about dogmatic theology here, we’re talking about a possible glitch in the way business is run sometimes. Anyways, if it were a Church-wide matter - one sees you unfit, the others do too - then the arguments being raised against scoob might work. But it isn’t a matter of the Church itself, or about the faith itself, it’s how some of its employees (!) are quite possibly screwing up. I find it interesting that one diocese had an issue with him, but another thinks he’s fine so far. He’s not arguing at all that if you feel called you must be - if they kicked him out of seminary I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d accept it, seeing as it is that they gave him a fair shake. He’s just saying that there should be fairness.

Can you not see how discernment went into the crafting of policies and guidelines that are already in place, or do you discount that form of discernment?

As to fairness. Life is not fair. The Church is called to be Just not Fair.

Just a quick example read the parable of the Marriage Fest (Matthew 22:1-14) or the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).

 

[WoundedIcon]

Can you not see how discernment went into the crafting of policies and guidelines that are already in place, or do you discount that form of discernment?

As to fairness. Life is not fair. The Church is called to be Just not Fair.

Just a quick example read the parable of the Marriage Fest (Matthew 22:1-14) or the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).

As a person with PTSD, you don’t need to remind me that life isn’t fair. And when it comes to policies, let me ask you which diocese failed to follow them with scoob - the first or the second? If they have the same policies, why the opposite results? Human error, one way or the other. Just because a person is affiliated with the Church doesn’t mean they do things right. There’s no such thing as an objective application of Church policy when human employees are involved, so I’m free to see how much subjectivity is involved, of what kind, and whether it was just. We’re talking about nuances here, not the hard-and-fast policies anyways. Rejecting a homosexual is one thing, but what about rejecting someone because of subtleties like personality? What if one diocese wants more sensitive people and another wants more straightforward people? So one boots ya and the other ordains ya. What if your diocese is left-leaning and you’re a traditionalist?

 

[elizabeth_anne_1]

I was not able to become a religious sister because of a mental illness. I understand how painful this can be and the feelings of rejection and worthlessness that can result, not only from not being able to pursue a vocation one wanted but also because of the symptoms of illness itself. That being said, I was tempted to a lot of self-pity and such as well, but eventually after persistent prayer and the grace of God I realize that God LOVES ME and this does not depend on whether or not a have a vocation. No one can take that from me His love of me and my love of Him. By the grace of God I reject self-pity and chose to embrace His Loving Designs.

I actually realize the wisdom of the church in using psychological tests to help discern the ability of the candidates to thrive in religious life or the priesthood. I am free from trying to pursue something that would not be healthy for me and is not the will of God. I am free instead to follow what is actually the will of God for me.

God bless you!

 

[catharina]

I was not able to become a religious sister because of a mental illness. I understand how painful this can be and the feelings of rejection and worthlessness that can result, not only from not being able to pursue a vocation one wanted but also because of the symptoms of illness itself. That being said, I was tempted to a lot of self-pity and such as well, but eventually after persistent prayer and the grace of God I realize that God LOVES ME and this does not depend on whether or not a have a vocation. No one can take that from me His love of me and my love of Him. By the grace of God I reject self-pity and chose to embrace His Loving Designs.

I actually realize the wisdom of the church in using psychological tests to help discern the ability of the candidates to thrive in religious life or the priesthood. I am free from trying to pursue something that would not be healthy for me and is not the will of God. I am free instead to follow what is actually the will of God for me. That is the key and the goal.

God bless you!

God bless you too!

 

[SecretGarden]

The entire premise about discernment is to determine God’s path for us: regardless of it is religious life, single or married. It’s been my experience that it requires us to take chances and see where things lead. Sometimes when we first try it doesn’t work out but if we try again and again (with proper direction of course) sometimes its the persistance that eventually opens the door. I remember hearing about some saint, he might be the saint of studying who wasn’t the smartest person in the world but he had a great desire to become a monk from what I remember. Eventually after a lot of hard work he was successful.

Our friend wounded (sorry I forget your entire name) has brought up many issues related to his past, and to his illness. I think it’s important for us to be sensitive to everything. Mental disease isn’t pretty and he is fortunate to have it under control. I get the impression that there is a lot of things from the past that haven’t been properly dealt with and if he went to see a professional, maybe some of this stuff could be worked through and who knows maybe then the doors for priesthood might open up. I also believe that we put too much emphasis on men only becoming priests, if it doesn’t work, maybe they can be brothers or who knows. The he church also really needs some dedicated laypeople who will work in the parishes, who will be a testament of God’s work inside of them. Some of the most amazing stories I hear about God’s work comes from the laypeople. Stories of survival, heartache, overcoming trials. I wonder if Wounded could be a role model for someone. Maybe you (wounded) can mentor other patients who are suffering from the same diseases as you. If they see how much God has and is doing in your life, maybe you’ll inspire others to come to Christ and fulfil their own callings.

The sky is the limit. I believe that if something means a lot to you, try and see what happens. If it doesn’t work, try again. It’s the trials and the waiting that makes God’s gift of vocation so worth the while.

 

[WoundedIcon]

Well, it’s kinda hard to get therapy when you’re weary of medical professionals since they helped hurt you growing up! But I worry when someone is told, at the first conversation, that they shouldn’t waste their time because of their diagnoses. I could see being given a psychological exam, failing, and then being turned out. That makes sense. What doesn’t pan out is painting me with the broad brush of the mentally ill. Some, maybe most, never reach the level of healing I have. But that shouldn’t mean that the ones who do get shrugged off. It’s almost like I could be become totally normal and I’d still be turned down just on the basis of the words affixed to me.

You know, I might try to maim the alien altar boy with the mind reading chip from the future installed in his left hand!

^ This kind of statement has been taken out of context so many times in my past… urgh. I got committed once because I said something on a Christian forum about how school shooters who kill themselves go to hell. Somehow that was a death threat I guess.

 

[WoundedIcon]

What’s funny is that today we were driving in a part of town I hadn’t seen before and I was thinking about how I’m Catholic then I saw the sun reflecting off the side of one house on to the side of the next. The light was a sweet yellow and in a perfect circle, with a cross of light in the center of it. Just like a communion wafer with scores in it for breaking!

 

[Monte_RCMS]

A priest is called upon to be “on duty” 24/7.

And that is an extremely stressful situation.

We are coming up to the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

That day a bunch of priests uptown were told to grab a cab and get down to the World Trade Center immediately. It wasn’t a question of what kind of psychological condition they were in that day.

A priest has to be prepared to do whatever is necessary at any moment. And if that puts them in danger of death, then … that is what they are called upon to do.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

As a person with PTSD, you don’t need to remind me that life isn’t fair. And when it comes to policies, let me ask you which diocese failed to follow them with scoob - the first or the second? If they have the same policies, why the opposite results? Human error, one way or the other. Just because a person is affiliated with the Church doesn’t mean they do things right. There’s no such thing as an objective application of Church policy when human employees are involved, so I’m free to see how much subjectivity is involved, of what kind, and whether it was just. We’re talking about nuances here, not the hard-and-fast policies anyways. Rejecting a homosexual is one thing, but what about rejecting someone because of subtleties like personality? What if one diocese wants more sensitive people and another wants more straightforward people? So one boots ya and the other ordains ya. What if your diocese is left-leaning and you’re a traditionalist?

Who says that there is only one correct process?

Each diocese and religious community works out what works for them.

There is no one policy and there should not be such.

I believe God works though His Church even with the human nature involved. I am sorry that you do not believe this.

 

[TrueLight]

Yes I am a religious. A religious in temporary vows. I have not petitioned for solemn vows yet.

Ok.