The Priest… and Solving Problems
The Priest… and Solving Problems
The fathers the priests in this subject are of various types:
1- A type who wants to comfort the person with the problem in any way:
And of course he should comfort him in a spiritual and sound way. It is also required that the priest be always on the side of truth, so he does not join the side of the problem that comes to him first, or cries before him and influences him, or convinces him, without contacting the other persons affected by the problem.
It is absolutely not permissible that anyone should feel that the priest is biased toward a certain side, defending it against another side. Rather, everyone must feel that he is a father to all and loving to all.
2- Another type of fathers the priests imposes his priestly authority and his opinion:
The priest should deal with people as a loving heart, not as an authority they submit to whether they want to or not. And if he presents a solution, he should convince the people of the soundness of this solution, whether from the teaching of the Holy Bible, or from the spiritual principles accepted by all. The more the priest is logical in his solutions, the more people accept them with comfort. But using authority, and binding and loosing, in people’s problems, without conviction and satisfaction, is improper.
3- A third type, passive, listens but does not solve:
He is content with hearing the problem, and does not express an opinion, and perhaps postpones it, or says: “We leave it to our Lord,” and his children do not feel that he is with them with his heart, his effort, and his work in their problems. This passiveness tires people, and does not agree with the feelings of fatherhood, nor with the duties of the pastoral ministry. The person with the problem should feel that the priest has done something—anything… according to his ability…
4- Another type works on solving the problem through prayer:
And prayer is an important matter in the relationship of the priest with his children and their problems, whether private prayers or Liturgies…
And we do not deny that prayers and Liturgies have their powerful effect.
But resorting to God does not mean passiveness in action or lack of guidance. For we proclaim faith and works together.
Prayer represents faith. And action and guidance represent works.
5- Another type uses with every case what suits it:
He does not have one line with everyone. Rather, he studies every case separately, and acts with wisdom according to what is suitable. And wisdom is necessary for all fathers the priests in solving people’s problems.
And sometimes it may be wise to consult some specialists.
6- And the priest needs to be an expert in the human soul:
He should be understanding of every soul that reaches him, able to enter into its depths, know the real original reasons for the problem, and the method of treating it, and present the acceptable solutions that are possible to carry out, which—if they do not reach absolute truth—reach the possible truth…
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