The Mistakes That a Priest May Fall Into
This lecture presents a deep spiritual warning about the mistakes a priest may fall into during his ministry. It explains that the priesthood is a blessing and a grace, yet at the same time a serious responsibility that requires constant vigilance and continuous spiritual growth, because any deviation in the priest’s life may become a stumbling block for many.
First: Spiritual Decline and Loss of Growth
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that a priest must grow spiritually after ordination, not decline or become worse. The priesthood does not corrupt a person, but rather reveals what is inside him, and authority or fame may uncover hidden weaknesses.
Second: Errors in Conduct and Responsibility
Among the most dangerous mistakes are lack of integrity, justifying faults instead of confessing them, and misusing the authority of binding and loosing unjustly or in moments of anger. He also points to negligence in pastoral care, whether in visitation, follow-up, or prayer for the people.
Third: Neglect of Personal Spiritual Life
He warns against being consumed by ministry at the expense of personal spiritual life, reading only to preach and not for nourishment, and relying solely on church prayers while neglecting personal prayers, which leads to gradual spiritual decline.
Fourth: Harshness, Anger, and Lack of Gentleness
He stresses that harshness and anger cause serious stumbling, because a priest is called to meekness, humility, and gentleness, following the example of Christ. Human anger does not produce the righteousness of God, and an angry priest loses his spiritual influence.
Fifth: Errors in Teaching and Behavior
He cautions against teaching personal opinions instead of the Church’s doctrine, against judgment and public shaming, and against improper handling of money, whether in excessive requests or in giving without generosity or love.
Sixth: Relationships and Example
He discusses mistakes related to lack of respect for others, issuing commands without gentleness, neglecting one’s family, revealing service secrets, or practicing exhausting strictness with servants, all of which lead to people’s alienation and harm the ministry.
Conclusion
A priest is called to be a model of meekness, humility, responsibility, love, and patience. The righteousness of the priest is a blessing to the people, while his mistakes are a serious stumbling block. Therefore, he constantly needs self-examination, repentance, and a return to the spirit of the Gospel.
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