The National Catholic Partnership on Disability’s Council on Mental Illness applauds Bishop Conley on his complete candor regarding his recent experience of coping with mental illness. We see many brave women and men who openly, in prudent, purposeful, and courageous ways share their experiences, and thus invite others who are living with a mental illness to face their challenges with hope. An illness is an illness not a weakness of character. We believe in the Church’s mission, as our website states: " to accompany our brothers and sisters with mental illness and their families while assisting the Catholic community by providing resources and education for spiritual and pastoral support."
Based on Bishop Conley's public testimony, other individuals in leadership positions are more likely to be upfront about their mental wellbeing. They too are seen as capable of recovery and are finding ways to become more effective and committed to ministry than ever before. We invite all leaders, especially leaders in the Catholic Church, to seek out resources and training for our church communities. Through the awareness made possible by such testimonies as Bishop Conley's, doors can open to ensure that anyone seeking help, including family and friends, will have easy access to information, referrals, and good sound advice. Advocating for people with mental illnesses and their families and accompanying those who have mental illness promotes a just society and an end to stigma, which is the biggest obstacle towards healing and recovery.
The original article on Bishop Conley’s experience can be found here:
- "'I couldn't fix myself': Bishop Conley opens up about mental health recovery." Link to article.
- "Catholic Mental Health Council Applauds Bishop Conley's Candor on Mental Illness." Link to article.
The NCPD Council on Mental Illness was founded May, 2006 to carry out the following mission: Following Jesus who embraced all, we reach out to accompany our brothers and sisters with mental illness and their families while assisting the Catholic community by providing resources and education for spiritual and pastoral support. Since 1982, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) has served the U.S. Catholic Church by providing resources, training, consultation and advocacy for the estimated 14 million U.S. Catholics who live with disability. Visit www.ncpd.org for more information on NCPD’s programs and services.