Can a person with an anxiety disorder be a priest?

[Cruikshank_s]

I’ve always wondered if a guy with Asperger Syndrome or similar high functioning autisticism about them would be kicked out of seminary or the monastery. I know some people who are like this and while they function as normal people I have a hard time imagining such people being able to be priests or religious.

They can enter and do. In religious life (at least for canons and canonesses) they are called “donatae” they don’t take solemn vows (or maybe not vows at all in the strict juridical sense, I’m not positive on it) but they do take a perpetual promise of the counsels, at least the ones I know did. They also are not bound to the whole choir office, usually only in part, for example the female donata I know is exempt from midnight matins. The donatae are very rare now, and probably are limited to the cloistered nuns and monks, the two communities I’m referring to are cloistered (the women are under strict, the men not so, they’re active at the same time)

 

[Young_Thinker]

I doubt that such a person would make it through the applications process. If they are honest (something that is required in the application/formation process) I really doubt they would be invited to even start the application process.

How are you, Br. Dave? Would not it depend upon whether or not they can deal with people despite their diagnosis or the severity of their particular condition (you hear stories about famous people, to everyone’s surprise, having such-and-such disorder)?

 

[JoyfulLife]

I know of a Priest with bi-polar. He was out of work for years but finally a great Priest let him work with him in the Parish. I don’t know if he developed the disorder AFTER ordination though.

 

[Young_Thinker]

I know of a Priest with bi-polar. He was out of work for years but finally a great Priest let him work with him in the Parish. I don’t know if he developed the disorder AFTER ordination though.

That is wonderful to hear (not because he has the disorder, of course). I would assume that he had manic depression before ordination, since it usually manifests itself within a person by his early twenties.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

so true. I have heard about people being dropped from seminary because thier diocese says they will not stand behind them anymore. also, read the book, the collar. it’s a eye opener for sure. it’s about the church’s second chance seminary program.

Yes that was a tragic tragic part of that book. BUT!!! I visited that seminary and expressed that fear if I enter Sacred Heart. I was told the other side of that story. which was that he was told over and over again that he needs to change and get back on track but didn’t until it was too late. I was so afraid of that happening to me if I ever was accepted and asked how to avoid such situations. It is a real concern.
What do you do when you sell off most of your stuff house pets and all,then in a year or two you get cut. Not fair but I know it is a reality. What do you do???

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

The homilies of a priest with Tourette’s would be entertaining.

That’s not nice:tsktsk:

 

[Inishfree]

Anxiety Disorder is a broad term. It can mean anything from being biological in nature, panic attacks to other conditions, which would be more in line with a mental illness.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

How are you, Br. Dave? Would not it depend upon whether or not they can deal with people despite their diagnosis or the severity of their particular condition (you hear stories about famous people, to everyone’s surprise, having such-and-such disorder)?

I am doing well. I just met my no oncologist and am setting up my treatment here in DC. I should be out to visit my family next week too.

Yes I guess you are right. Also it would depend a lot on what the institutes ministries are.

 

[Young_Thinker]

I am doing well. I just met my no oncologist and am setting up my treatment here in DC. I should be out to visit my family next week too.

Yes I guess you are right. Also it would depend a lot on what the institutes ministries are.

Okay. It is good to hear that you are doing well. I hope that your treatment is successful.

 

[m134e5]

I was curious as to whether a person with anxiety disorder is not allowed to be a priest. I ask because I understand that the Church does not allow anyone with a mental disorder to be a priest. I am unsure as to what this means exactly. Does it simply refer to someone who has schizophrenia or something like that, or does it also refer to someone with something like OCD or general anxiety disorder?

Just curious. Thank you for answering.
God Bless.

A person must be mentally stable to become a priest. There are priests who struggle with anxiety, depression, OCD, and some other disorders. Those disorders, if severe, can cause serious problems. They can usually be managed, but the people in charge of formation of seminarians will (hopefully) watch for any problems that come up and not recommend men for ordination who have problems that can’t be managed while fulfilling the duties of a priest.