Do priests give counselling on non spiritual matters?

  • Thread starter Thread starter english_guy
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
E

english_guy

Guest
Hello everyone,
In all my years as a Catholic I have never needed counselling as such, apart from questions asked in confession.
I now think I am ready to ask for help for a personal situation which has affected my life for nearly 12 years.It all stems from the loss of my wife, do you think my priest would help me?.

Thanks in advance for any replies,
God Bless,
Mick.
 
Absolutely! Not only do priests (and deacons) do this, it’s a major part of our ministry.

Deacon Ed
 
You ask if you can discuss, with a priest, something that stems from the loss of your wife. As anything that affects us, also affects spiritual welfare because we are integrated human beings, you should be able to discuss your problem with your priests. God bless you.
 
english_guy said:
Hello everyone,
In all my years as a Catholic I have never needed counselling as such, apart from questions asked in confession.
I now think I am ready to ask for help for a personal situation which has affected my life for nearly 12 years.It all stems from the loss of my wife, do you think my priest would help me?.

Thanks in advance for any replies,
God Bless,
Mick.
Click to expand...
Even “non-spiritual” matters can benefit from spiritual counsel and healing. Ask one of your parish priests if he would be willing to help you.
 
Depending on the nature of the question/problem and whether it is within the priest’s ability to help directly, he may give some advice, or he may refer you to someone better suited.
 
If something is important to you, and especially if it involves grief or anxiety, it is a spirtual matter. If the priest can’t help you himself, he very often knows how to help you to find someone who can.
 
I am a Licensed Therapist and I have known priests that were also so of course.

Now a non masters level (LCSW,LPC, MSW, Ph.d in Psych.) or non state Licensed priest cannot and should not attempt more in-depth mental health counseling- but they would know this. Priests are usually pretty smart!
 
I had a conflict with another person, which was greatly disturbing my peace of mind. I asked my pastor to share his wisdom with me. We met one morning for about an hour and a half. He read through the emails and communications, listened to my story, told me what I had done right and things I could have done better, and shared examples from his life. He told me what I needed to do to move forward (apologize) and that he would be praying for me.

I left his office feeling very much at peace, went home and emailed the offending person and asked for a meeting, met with him a couple of days later and apologized. God has done much healing in that relationship, and I will always be grateful for the (name removed by moderator)ut from my pastor.

He was not afraid to speak the truth, though he did it very delicately. He gave me advice I got from no one else (and I asked plenty of people), guided by the Holy Spirit.

Definitely ask your priest for advice or counsel. Some are more skilled than others at this, (my pastor had an undergraduate degree in psychology) but it can’t hurt to ask.
 
Hello everyone,
thank you so much for all your replies,they are very much appreciated.They have given me a lot to think about,
God Bless,
Mick. 👍
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top