A Note of Thanks to Our Priests

Photo: Ramses Sudiang, Unsplash

I know that immediately after reading the title of the article some Catholics will want to jump right to the comments and respond with “This priest committed sexual abuse…” or “The act of abuse that priest was heinous,” and I completely understand such a reaction. I have had the same feelings, as a survivor of abuse in the convent, and as someone who knows many women who have endured trauma behind the convent walls. When I read something painting a rosy-colored picture of nuns in the convent I want to scream and yell.

Abuse can never be excused, and it is never ever acceptable, and I will never condone or make an excuse for those priests who have committed grave atrocities. And I am sorry for any victim of abuse by a clergy member who has been deeply wounded in mind, body, and spirit, and who has been harmed by men who were entrusted to do good for the People of God and care for their flock with a sincere and loving heart.

This article is about the priests who have sacrificed their lives and have faithfully done the work of God; the thousands of men who daily offer up their sweat, blood, and tears to save souls. It is difficult, tiresome, and often a thankless toil for God alone. When one becomes a priest it truly is all or nothing; a man cannot give his heart to God while at the same time offering his body to the spirit of the world.

On this twenty-first Anniversary of 9/11 FDNY Chaplain, Father Mychal Judge, comes to mind. Father Judge ran into the North Tower to minister to firefighters after the first plane had hit the World Trade Center. When the South Tower collapsed he was killed by the force of the explosion. I will always remember the image of his ashen-covered body being carried by firefighters out of the building on that horrific day. Father Judge made the ultimate sacrifice for his spiritual children.

Photo: BrillLyle, Wikipedia

Another priest who gave all for his flock is Navy Chaplain, Servant of God, Father Vincent R. Capodanno. On September 4, 1967 during the Vietnam War Father Capodanno, after having already been wounded, was administering last rites to a wounded soldier of the 3rd Batallion, 5th Marines, when he was killed after being shot 27 times.

I have read about Blessed Miguel Pro who was executed by a firing squad after exercising his priestly ministry when the Catholic Church was being persecuted during the presidency of Elias Plutarco Calles. I have admired the courage of Saint Maximilian Kolbe who gave his life at the Auschwitz death camp to save a man he did not even know during the Holocaust, Father Thomas Byles who gave up his spot on a lifeboat during the sinking of the Titanic to be able to offer spiritual aid and Confession to passengers before the ship went down, and Servant of God, Emil Kapaun, an army chaplain, who was a prisoner of war during the Korean War, and administered to other prisoners of war in the camp before he was left to die in “the death house.”

Two years ago when it was a struggle for me to attend Mass, Father Robert W. Dillon, the former Pastor of my parish, offered support and grieved alongside me after I left the convent due to abuse. Day in and day out I have been nourished and sustained by the Eucharist, offered absolution for my sins, and provided with counsel during difficult times despite their often busy and exhausting schedules. I am deeply appreciative and forever thankful to have had such priests in my life who have truly been the shepherd of my soul.

I am still well aware that there have been some priests that have done incredible evil in the world that have wounded not only their victims, but the entire Mystical Body of Christ.

But I also know that the majority of priests are striving to live out their vocation to the fullest for God and for His Church.

To all the priests who have answered God’s call and have lived out their vocation authentically as true sons of the Father in thought, word, and deed, and have helped to bring us your spiritual children closer to Christ, thank you.