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Father Lício: Suicide among priests in Brazil
Suicide is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon. In the case of priests, several studies indicate that the main risk factors are stress, loneliness and excessive demands.
Father Lício de Araújo Vale - Diocese of São Miguel Paulista
(Father Licio's father took his own life)
Even though faith is an essential ally to give meaning to life, and priests are important foundations for living the faith, something has happened that goes beyond the strength of belief and vocation. I have recorded the reported suicide of priests in Brazil. My research begins with the death of Fr Bonifácio Buzzi, aged 57, in Três Corações-MG, on 7 August 2016 and ends with the death of Fr Mário Castro, aged 55, in the Diocese of Roraima, on 19 June 2023. From August 2016 to June 2023, 40 priests killed themselves in Brazil.
Suicide is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon. In the case of priests, several studies point out that the main risk factors are stress, loneliness and excessive pressure. Pope Francis adds the issue of clericalism: "Clericalism is a plague in the Church", he said in an interview on the flight back from Fatima on 14/05/2017.
(Cathcon: Such attacks, repeating the rhetoric of atheistic socialists, are part of the problem not part of the solution. The Pope is representing self-hatred that can lead to suicide)
Nowadays, both the Church and the priests themselves face the challenge of acting in an increasingly individualistic, secularised and spectacularised society, which presents great demands caused by social changes and the plurality of values. The evolution experienced by post-modern society has left its mark on the life of the Church, causing a change in the image that people have of her and, consequently, of her priests.
Various contingencies affect the reality of the priest today. In this article, I invite you to reflect on just one of them: the dilemma between the theological and the sociological image of the priest.
Continued below.
cathcon.blogspot.com
Suicide is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon. In the case of priests, several studies indicate that the main risk factors are stress, loneliness and excessive demands.
Father Lício de Araújo Vale - Diocese of São Miguel Paulista
(Father Licio's father took his own life)
Even though faith is an essential ally to give meaning to life, and priests are important foundations for living the faith, something has happened that goes beyond the strength of belief and vocation. I have recorded the reported suicide of priests in Brazil. My research begins with the death of Fr Bonifácio Buzzi, aged 57, in Três Corações-MG, on 7 August 2016 and ends with the death of Fr Mário Castro, aged 55, in the Diocese of Roraima, on 19 June 2023. From August 2016 to June 2023, 40 priests killed themselves in Brazil.
Suicide is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon. In the case of priests, several studies point out that the main risk factors are stress, loneliness and excessive pressure. Pope Francis adds the issue of clericalism: "Clericalism is a plague in the Church", he said in an interview on the flight back from Fatima on 14/05/2017.
(Cathcon: Such attacks, repeating the rhetoric of atheistic socialists, are part of the problem not part of the solution. The Pope is representing self-hatred that can lead to suicide)
Nowadays, both the Church and the priests themselves face the challenge of acting in an increasingly individualistic, secularised and spectacularised society, which presents great demands caused by social changes and the plurality of values. The evolution experienced by post-modern society has left its mark on the life of the Church, causing a change in the image that people have of her and, consequently, of her priests.
Various contingencies affect the reality of the priest today. In this article, I invite you to reflect on just one of them: the dilemma between the theological and the sociological image of the priest.
Continued below.
Wave of suicides by Brazilian priests
Father Lício: Suicide among priests in Brazil Suicide is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon. In the case of priests, several studies in...
cathcon.blogspot.com
