
Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert
Priests come in all sizes, shapes, ages, intellectual capacities, dispositions, backgrounds, colors, nationalities and educations. If we possessed a good stock of them, each parish could shop around until they found Father Perfect.
Realistically, we have only a few to fill the needs of parishes throughout the state. All priests are modeled after Jesus Christ, the great high priest, but there are some flaws in each priest. Those flaws vary, but since priests are human, a guarantee comes with each model that assures you of defects. It is identical with the guarantee you will find attached to all human beings, much like the one your parents received upon your birth.
Priests are plainly “real people.” Regardless of how highly motivated they might be, regardless of how hard they might pray, regardless of how deeply they might love God and neighbor, they are open to temptation, possess limited talents and inherited faults, make mistakes of judgment, occasionally say the wrong thing, and perhaps even “have a bad day.”
Some priests find it hard to forgive themselves for their sins and mistakes of human nature; they know they are called to a higher life. Some parishioners find it difficult to accept the humanity of the priests who serve them.
It has been one of the great blessings of my life to know hundreds of good priests.
As a priest of over 47 years, as the chair of the Clergy Personnel Board for 14 years, and as the present administrator for the diocese, it is my business to know the good and weak points of all the priests within the diocese. I cannot tell you how much I love and respect the priests who serve you. Not because they are perfect, but because they strive to see the face of Christ themselves and because they strive to serve you as good priests.
I wish that you could see your priests through my eyes. We just finished our annual priests’ retreat at Subiaco. They were so filled with grace, faith and sheer goodness. They share your frustrations with life; they fight the same temptations you fight; they struggle with their own personality flaws as you do; they are as open to physical and emotional pain as you; they feel rejection, slights and unkindness just as deeply as you do; and they deal with the loneliness of a celibate life. And, yet, they continue to love and serve and pray and strive always for holiness. It must be that indefatigable perseverance that I find so remarkable in priests.
I have a favor to ask of you. Please let your priests know that you love and respect them. Please support them when you can. Please be kind to them and about them. How about asking them to dinner? Intending to ask them some day doesn’t really count. Folks, it’s a hard time to be a priest, and the celibate life to which a priest is called can bring loneliness. I know that Father may not be everything you would like him to be, but maybe your love, understanding and kindness can make that happen.