Archimandrite Nicholas Hughes Says Family Attitudes Discourage Seminarians and Monastics

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I have followed some of the news articles that express concern over how few seminarians make it to Holy Cross. We have an excellent seminary with superlative teachers. Yet, nowhere have I seen mentioned one of the main problems: family attitude. As a priest of 15 years service in the GOA, I am continually amazed by the lack of support and sometimes downright hostility from his family a young man often encounters should he wish to be a priest or [God forbid!] a monk. The attitude seems to be although priests are necessary and respectable (like undertakers), “I don’t want my son” to be one. Old fashioned pious families counted it a great blessing to have a child enter religious life as a priest or monastic. Now, sadly, all too many seem to view it as a waste of resources. I have actually heard such things as “I don’t want my child to waste their life as a priest”, or “throw his life away as a monk”! With such attitudes is it any wonder we have few seminarians. It is truly a shame.

Another reason a family discourages a son from becoming a priest is a parent’s fear that their child will go into a situation of abuse. Many of our clergy are at the mercy of capricious powerful individuals who see to it to “keep the Papas in line…”. Horror stories abound and are all too often true. It cuts across diocesan and jurisdictional lines. Being humiliated is simply part of a priest’s life. Who has not been to a parish assembly free-for-all? In years past it was even worse and the damage now is done. Growing up observing all this who would want their child in such a life? Until “our people” i.e. the Greeks (since it seems convert clergy such as myself are somehow second rate) see the priesthood and monastic life as something desirable, something to be proud of in a child’s choice, seminarians will be few and far between indeed.

Thank you,

V. Rev. Archimandrite Nicholas Hughes