““Out of compassion, I destroy the darkness of their ignorance. From within them I light the lamp of wisdom and dispel all darkness from their lives.”
– Bhagavad Gita.
Reflecting on compassion seems like a never-ending process and so here we are, dedicating one more issue to this magnificent human quality. There are three specific aspects of compassion that are particularly important for priests and religious to consider. I am certain that each of these aspects will have something to tell us because they touch the sensitive and delicate layers of our humanness. I dare say that these reflections may spark a ray of light and enkindle our consciousness.
- Compassion Fatigue Affects those who Serve Others
Compassion comes from the Latin word ‘compati meaning ‘to suffer with’. The Italian translation is ‘compatire’, a word which according to my Italian friends, has taken a derogatory sense now, meaning an air of condescension and pity on a person who experiences suffering. But the original meaning of ‘compati’ signifies that there is so much resonance with the suffering person that the compassionate person too experiences the same emotions.
In my doctoral thesis on, ‘The Balance of Psychological Well-being among Diocesan Priests’ (2022), and again in the book, ‘Take care of Priests’ (2022), I had written saying that priests are required to fulfil numerous responsibilities such as being a preacher, teacher, administrator, counsellor, fundraiser, media-person and social worker. Religious sisters too are expected to fulfil such roles and are expected to be ready and ‘on call’ at any time of the day and night. The beneficiaries place such heavy demands on priests and religious that they end up experiencing ‘Compassion Fatigue’.
Fr. Dr. Joseph Jeyaraj, sdb
