Today I found on my social networks the news that Father Damián María Montes, known for his presence in the media and social networks, has decided to leave the priestly ministry after twenty years.

The news stirred up many memories and reflections in me. In my years of service within the Catholic Church, I have witnessed very different situations involving priests and communities: the pain of learning about a case of abuse, the crisis of a priest who fell in love and decided to leave the ministry, and also the story of a religious man who went through a profound conflict regarding his own identity and vocation.

These are all different experiences, each with its own particularities and complexities. However, they all taught me a common lesson: the need to learn how to better support the human and spiritual processes experienced by both the individuals involved and the communities affected.

When a priest commits abuse, the harm first and foremost affects the victim, who deserves to be heard, protected, and supported. But it also profoundly impacts the community. Those who trusted that priest feel pain, bewilderment, and often, disbelief. Questions arise, divisions emerge, and tensions arise that can leave lasting wounds.

In those moments, it becomes clear that we don’t always know how to react. We struggle to listen to the victim’s suffering, we struggle to accept what has happened, and often, we end up turning against each other. That’s why I believe we still have much to learn about how to support wounded communities, how to create spaces for listening, and how to put those who suffer the most at the center.

I also witnessed the situation of a priest who fell in love. It was a painful experience for many people in the community. Beyond the personal decisions each person might make, I discovered how much the way these processes are communicated and supported influences them.

When situations are endured in silence for a long time and then erupt abruptly, the impact is often much greater. Many people experience disappointment, sadness, or bewilderment. This is especially true for young people, who often find important role models in priests for their faith journey.

That experience left me convinced that communities need support. It’s not enough to manage a situation; it’s necessary to care for the people affected by it. The faith of many can waver, and if they don’t find support, some end up distancing themselves from the Church or even from the experience of faith itself.

I also learned of a priest who endured a profound inner struggle for years. Beyond the specific circumstances of his story, I witnessed the suffering that comes from living through prolonged periods of inner conflict. The emotional, spiritual, and physical toll eventually leaves its mark.

It’s not my place to judge anyone’s decisions or conscience. However, I do think it’s important to recognize that behind every news story there’s a person, a story, a community, and a process that we almost never fully understand.

The Church has a history spanning over two thousand years. Throughout that time, it has endured countless crises, sorrows, and challenges. Perhaps that is why we are increasingly called to learn not only to react with scandal or condemnation, but also with listening, truth, mercy, and accompaniment.

Therefore, when we read that a priest is leaving the ministry, perhaps the first question shouldn’t be what happened, but how we can support those involved. Behind every decision there are usually complex, often painful, processes that affect both the person experiencing them and the surrounding community.

This is not about minimizing the facts or shirking responsibility when it is due. It is about remembering that the Church is made up of real people, with vulnerabilities, struggles, and quests. And that, in the midst of these realities, we are called to be a community capable of supporting, listening, and healing.

Perhaps therein lies one of the most important lessons: learning to walk together even in difficult times, to prevent wounds from deepening and to ensure that no one is left alone when they most need to be accompanied.