Nebraska bishop writes pastoral letter on mental health
June 13, 2024
» Continue to this story on Diocese of Lincoln
CWN Editor's Note: Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, has written a pastoral letter on mental health. The letter has two parts: “My Story of Pursuing Mental Health” and “Pursuing Mental Health.”
Bishop Conley discussed his 2019-20 leave of absence after he was “medically diagnosed with PTSD, major depression, anxiety, and tinnitus ... I share my own story in the hopes that it will hasten the demise of the mental health stigma in our culture. I also pray it will inspire others to embrace Jesus as the Divine Physician.”
The second part of the letter has three sections: “seeking wholeness and holiness,” “the Catholic context for mental health,” and “you are not alone.”
“I would like to close with a simple practice, adapted from St. Francis de Sales, a Bishop and Doctor of the Church, as well as a staunch advocate of the universal call to holiness,” he concluded. “Throughout the day, before beginning various tasks, let us do three things: acknowledge, offer, and accept ... Through the intercession of St. Dymphna, patroness of mental health, I pray for your wholeness and holiness.”
The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!