CV NEWS FEED // Bishop James Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, recently opened up about his own mental health struggles and offered advice on how to deal with mental health struggles and pursue healing as a Catholic.
Bishop Conley’s Own Story
In a May pastoral letter, Bishop Conley wrote that he began seriously suffering from mental health issues seven years after becoming bishop of Lincoln.
“Day in and day out, I tried to fix the problems brought to me instead of surrendering them to the Lord,” Bishop Conley wrote. “There was always more work than time, and gradually I slackened in taking care of my own physical and mental well-being.”
He added that constant struggles affected every area of his life, as his sleep, eating habits, emotions, and finally spiritual life began to suffer.
“I had drifted away from the Church’s teaching that since we are body and soul, taking care of our physical and mental health is part of God’s plan for our lives. And this lack of self-love was now hindering my ability to love and serve well,” Bishop Conley wrote.
He reminded Catholics that Jesus gives a command in Matthew 22:39: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” which implies that self-care is necessary in order to love others well.
Bishop Conley received permission in December 2019 from Pope Francis to step away from his duties as bishop for a while, which he said was humbling—as he didn’t know when he would be back—and shameful, due to stigmas surrounding mental health struggles.
In a diocesan retreat facility in Phoenix, Bishop Conley began to seek healing.
“Feeling like I had lost nearly everything, I clung to my three anchors: Holy Mass, the Rosary, and the Liturgy of the Hours…” he wrote. “These three anchors gave structure to my day but offered little solace. Still, I knew that to let go them [sic] would unmoor me.”
“It was during this period of darkness that Jesus’ words, ‘Apart from me, you can do nothing,’ began to take on deeper meaning,” he continued:
I started to experience the freedom of surrender as I gradually allowed Jesus to shoulder burdens I had been carrying on my own. Understanding my role as a collaboration with Jesus in His work became liberating and a turning point for my unhealthy self-reliance. As my therapist would often remind me, all you have to do is “show up,” and the Lord will do the rest.
Bishop Conley wrote that he began to open himself up to community, spending more time with his family, friends, fellow bishops, and young families. He additionally got a dog, which he said was “crucial in beginning to bring joy back into my life.” He resumed his episcopal duties in November 2020.
“My journey toward greater wholeness and holiness will continue, but I am immensely grateful for the additional freedom and peace I have now,” he added:
I am also no longer on any medication, which at one time seemed an impossibility. I share my own story in the hopes that it will hasten the demise of the mental health stigma in our culture. I also pray it will inspire others to embrace Jesus as the Divine Physician and experience more fully “the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).
Pursuing Mental Health Healing as a Catholic
Based on his own experience, Bishop Conley additionally offered pastoral reflection to help others struggling with mental health “move closer to wholeness and holiness.”
He encouraged those struggling with their mental health to seek healing from Jesus directly, while understanding that surrendering to God’s will is key. He added that they should regularly pray and receive the sacraments, continuing to pursue holiness while asking for healing.
Bishop Conley also said that healing can be sought from Jesus indirectly, such as through psychologists, psychiatrists, spiritual directors, healing services, intercession of saints, and communities.
He additionally encouraged those struggling with their mental health to seek balance in their lives, building a sense of wholeness on stable sleeping, eating, exercising, recreating and praying routines.
He included several resources in his pastoral letter, including lists of Catholic therapists and doctors, online videos, apps, prayers, and books, all aimed at promoting holiness and healing among Catholics struggling with their mental health.
Bishop Conley added that even if it feels like it, no one is alone.
“What we can be always sure of—no matter what is happening in our lives—is that we are not alone. You are not alone!” Bishop Conley wrote. “God knows your suffering intimately and wants to walk with you through it. In this moment, as in every moment, He is whispering to you, ‘I know the plans I have for you…plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope’ (Jeremiah 29:11).”
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