What can be done about a pastor who seems to be impaired?

[Ever_striving]

My beloved parish is in a crisis. We have had the same pastor for twelve years and have been “putting up” with his lack of shepherdship. He seems clinically depressed, sleeps all of the time, takes a lot of medications. He never prepares a homily and takes no interest in parish activity. He has applied for another six years. If he stays on, it will be the death of the parish for more reasons than I can go into here.

I have empathy for the pastor (my brother is a priest), but it appears that something needs to be done. People have tried meeting with him, but he seems delusional.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Generally speaking, the bishop is the only person with the authority to handle the situation (unless your diocese does not currently have a bishop; in that case, the diocesan administrator has ordinary authority over the diocese). I recommend that you gather together as many parishioners as you can, preferably including all who have tried on previous occasions to talk with the pastor, and petition the bishop to meet with all of you to listen to your concerns. The bishop may refer you to the vicar for clergy, who he may wish to have assess the situation first, but your initial petition for assistance should go to the bishop.