Priests Struggle Too: A Call to Compassion During Suicide Prevention Month

By Camille Mc Milan Rambharat

 In times of difficulty, many of us instinctively turn to our priests for comfort and guidance. Yet how often do we ask who they turn to in their own moments of need?

This past week, Fr Rafael Ciro, a New Jersey priest remembered for his devotion to God and service, died by suicide. Bishop Kevin Sweeney described him as “faithful, joyful, and dedicated,” a sobering reminder that even those set apart by vocation are not immune from suffering. Priests often carry a double burden: their own struggles and ours. They shoulder the weight of every confession, every parish visit, and every loss. Added to this are the administrative and financial demands of parish life and the personal sacrifice of being separated from family. While they lean on Christ for strength, they also need our prayers and support.

Sadly, Father Rafael’s story is not isolated. In July, Fr Matteo Balzano, only 35 years old, took his life in Italy. Parishioners recalled how he once admitted, “no one knows the hell one has inside to commit such an extreme act.” At his funeral, Bishop Franco Giulio Brambilla mourned him as “above all, a friend.” These words pierce the heart and remind us that priests are not untouchable icons of perfection but beloved brothers walking with us in faith.

In Spain, Fr Salvador Aguado Miguel offered a testimony of hope after Father Matteo’s death. Five years ago, he too stood at the brink of despair: “I was on the edge of a precipice, dead inside, at the very bottom of a dark pit.” He credits a psychologist, “like an angel sent by God”, with helping him return to life. He insists that seeking help is not weakness but grace. His words echo across the global Church: priests must be free to seek support without stigma.

Other priests have spoken candidly of their vulnerability. Peruvian priest Fr Omar Buenaventura said, “We need to be treated like men, not like machines. Sometimes the weight is enormous, and without God, I would be crushed too.” Spanish priest Fr Francisco Javier Bronchalo put it simply: “We are poor men with fragile souls. We do not need pity; we need community, truth, affection.”

September, Suicide Prevention Month, reminds us why this conversation matters. I have lost friends, colleagues, and associates to suicide, and I know the heaviness of silence. The call this month is clear: break the stigma, name mental illness as real and urgent, and respond with compassion. Our parishes, schools, and families must become spaces of open conversation where people feel safe to share their struggles. Often, it is the smallest gestures like a phone call, a prayer, or an honest conversation that can save lives.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) offers consolation. It teaches that “grave psychological disturbances… can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide” (CCC 2282) and that “we should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives… The Church prays for them” (CCC 2283). These words do not erase the tragedy of suicide but affirm that God’s mercy is greater than despair.

As we mark this month, let us take to heart a few simple calls: pray for priests not only in their ministry but also in their humanity; speak openly about mental health, for silence feeds stigma; encourage professional care alongside prayer; and be present, for small acts of kindness often matter most.

Priests carry our burdens, but they too need compassion. May the Church be not only a place of prayer but also a community of presence, where no priest or parishioner walks alone.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out:

• Trinidad & Tobago: Lifeline – 800-5588, 866-5433, or 220-3636
• Canada: Suicide Crisis Helpline – 988
• US: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 988