I am sorry.
If you struggle with anxiety & were told you must not trust Jesus enough, I’m sorry.
If you were in a season of depression & it was explained away as spiritual dryness or desolation, I’m sorry.
If you were told Catholics don’t need therapy if they go to confession, I’m sorry.
If your struggle was made light of or dismissed, I’m sorry.
If your intense symptoms were labeled as ‘crazy’ and those in the Church abandoned you, I’m sorry.
If you were told to offer up your sufferings when you really needed comfort and compassion, I’m sorry.
If your mental illness was explained as sinfulness or weak will on your part, I’m sorry.
If you have doubted God’s love for you both because of your mental illness and the lack of love from His Church, I’m sorry.
You are precious and beloved. You deserve to be loved as you are, most especially in seasons of struggle, by Mother Church. If you have been told any of these lies, I call them out for you as lies and not the teaching of the Church. Maybe it wasn’t these exact words, but you still faced misunderstanding, rejection, and a lack of the hospitable compassion you needed, please recognize it as failings of me and other representatives of Christ. There is a place for you in the Church. The Father loves you- as you are and where you are. Know my prayer is that you can find a community that represents His love well, allowing you to experience the belonging and love that is your right as a child of God.