✙ contact

Just as when you get your first job or when you become a parent for the first time: new responsibilities come with new, and usually higher, expectations. The same happens when you become a priest, monk, nun, or hermit. And we all know that those higher expectations sometimes prove to be too difficult to meet. Because we all do our best, but sometimes we fail nonetheless. All we can do is get up, and try again: slowly but surely becoming better at what we do.

However: for priests, monks, nuns, and hermits it's especially important to be open and accountable about their behaviour in general, and about their failures in particular. Why? Because our behaviour is intrinsically and intricately part of who we are, what we believe, and the example we are called to live.

"However: for priests, monks, nuns, and hermits it's especially important to be open and accountable about their behaviour in general, and about their failures in particular. Why? because our behaviour is intrinsically and intricately part of who we are, what we believe, and the example we are called to live"

Pope Gregorius the First (540 - 604 AD) phrased this best when he pointed out that if someone’s way of life is despised, his or her faith will be too.

Therefore, together with (or after) you send me your message, request, or question: please remember that I would also love to receive your feedback - especially when it is critical or even downright negative - in order to help me become a better person and to progress as a hermit.

May God (+) remain close to us.

Your brother-in-Christ,

bartholomew.