Priests also need counseling, especially during the pandemic, because they also get tired and feel sad, said the bishop of the Diocese of Novaliches in the Philippine capital.
Bishop Roberto Gaa said people, including priests, need to take care of themselves and their health in the midst of the health crisis that everyone is experiencing.
“We should have an expert to initiate awareness that we need to take care of ourselves on various level, including on the level of the ministry,” the prelate said over Church-run Radio Veritas 846.
“The impact of loneliness and tiredness should be discussed in the vicariate level,” he said.
“One can also seek counseling because priests are not supermen who don’t get tired. They are also human. Priests are also human,” added Bishop Gaa.
“It’s good that those needs should be addressed,” he added.
He said being close with the people who are most affected by the pandemic is one factor that impacts on the health of members of the clergy.
Addressing priests, the bishop said it is important that they also know how to take care of themselves.
“There are problems that sometimes are not addressed only by prayers but should be addressed by right solutions,” said the prelate.
The pandemic has taken a heavy toll among priests and nuns around the world, killing hundreds of them in some countries.
