Pope John Paul II and Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka

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Lydia739

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I have been thinking recently about Pope John Paul II and his friendship with Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka. I would like to understand more about what’s permitted for priests, and what isn’t. To what extent is it allowable for a priest to have this kind of female “special friend”? I know that Anna-Teresa Tymieniecka was married, but what if she had been single? If a single woman has been friends with a priest since before he got ordained, and wants to make sure that the friendship does not develop into anything that might be unhelpful to him, what advice would you give her? What advice would you give him?
Thank you.
 
I think I posted this is the wrong place. Sorry. I’ll try again under Moral Theology.
 
I am a single woman and have been best friends with a Catholic priest for several years.

A book I would recommend is “To Heaven With Diana” By Gerald Vann, OP.
It’s the story of Dominican Blesseds Jordan of Saxony and Dianna. Vann has a great introduction on the topic of friendship in the book followed by beautiful letters between the friends.

Friendship with a priest is a prudential manner. It is not a sin but can be difficult if one or both of the parties have difficulties with chastity or are immature.

Friendship is a wonderful gift- one that means truly loving the other whether being a married person, priest, religious or single. It should always include honesty and the desire to grow in friendship with Christ and lead the other to holiness.

Other saints that have had blessed friendships: St. Teresa of Avila and Geronimo Gracian, Sts. Frances de Sales and Jane de Chantel, Sts. Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac, St. Francis of Asissi and St. Clare, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and Blessed Claude de la Colombiere.

My advice would be to be completely transparent before God with your desires and with a trusted spiritual director. If you find that you desire his holiness and purity and want to support his vocation, then by all means be his friend. Priests are human and need friends too. 🙂
 
My closest friend in the world was a Catholic bishop–he died last month. We had been dear friends for over 30 years. There was nothing improper in our relationship, and we made no secret of it. The greatest gift I was able to give him, I think, was to be with him much of the time in hospital and hospice during his final illness, and to be holding his hand as he died.

A former doctoral student of mine, who is Irish, told me that the Gaelic term “anam-chara” means “soul friend.” I think this is the perfect description for our relationship, and for any close but chaste relationship between people. As two only children, we were family to each other, and still are.
 
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