Yes, I understand what you are saying, but “staying away” would involve me not being an active member of my Parish anymore and ignoring my own calling to serve God in the small ways I do. Am I not missing out?
Before I comment, I need to say that I don’t know all the circumstances, and can only go on what has been said here.
Your going to have to decide how to handle it. One thing is for certain, if he is attracted to you, and is being tempted towards you, you are not going to miss out on serving God by staying away for a while. In fact, your staying away for the purpose of not causing him temptations is probably more pleasing to God than any “extras” you do at Church. It would be an act of sacrifical love to give up something you enjoy for the spiritual advantage of the Priest.
Could he not pray more to just love me as a friend?
It would be nice if it worked that way. Unfortunately, our passions are not under the control of our reason, and God rarely performs miracles. He usually leaves us to deal with things the best way we know how… which in this case would be the Priest steering clear of the person he is attracted to.
Your priest should actually be commended. As a guy, I can tell you that avoiding a good looking female is not an easy task. It is much easier to tell oneself
“I can handle it. I’ll just be good friends with her”. Unfortunately, the male nature does not work that way with a female he is attracted to. “Those who love danger shall perish in it”, and I think your Priest is smart enough to realize it.
I have been married for nine years now and there has been alot of prayer to get through the ups and downs. All I’m saying is that is seems to be the woman who misses out when a situation like this arises.
Where’s your charity? That sounds like a selfing statement. Shouldn’t we care enough about one another to make sacrifices when necessary? It is the sacrifices, made out of love, that God rewards.
I have total respect and admiration for his vocation. Isn’t what he is doing though taking the easy and more hurtful way out?
Not at all. He is taking the smart way out. He realizes that he is weak, and is doing the right thing.
Should he not try to continue being polite at least and pray a whole lot more rather than make me feel like a leper?
Again, I don’t know the circumstances. It is rare that we handle difficult situations exactly perfect. Assuming he is suffering major temptations towards you, he may be doing the best he can. Cut him a little slack, and don’t take it personally. Keep in mind that women often do react too emotionally and take things too personally. With that in mind, resist the temptation to react in that way, and instead pray for him. Isn’t that what God would want you to do?
Thanks for answering though! Oh I did not just invite him I also invited the Senior Parish Priest. I guess I feel a little disapointed because he seemed so devout, dedicated and spiritual, I was surprised to come to the realization that he may indeed have feelings for me. I guess I felt “safe” with him if you know what I mean. I think at first he may have admired my devoutness and then it grew from there. I guess I feel a sense of loss as you would for a good friend? I am now wondering if Priests are able to be friends at all with woman or if the whole things is too hard in the majority of cases?
It sounds like there was a connection between the two of you - probably too much of one. I remember a Priest telling me that women sometimes get too close which makes it very difficult. Males and females are made different. Males are attracted physically, while females look for the emotional bonding.
I think you may have had more of an emotional attachment to him than you realize, which was also probably more dangerous than you realize. He probably has a physical attraction for you and does realize the danger.
That’s life. We have all kinds of difficulties to deal with. The important thing is that we don’t offend God, and always try to do what God would have us do.
It could be worse. You could be on here admitting that you were having a sinfull relationship with a Priest and asking for advise on what to do. Thanks to the prudent actions of your Priest, that is not the case.
