Posted by paxvox on June 5, 2002, at 20:26:02
In reply to Pre-wedding blues, posted by Kar on June 4, 2002, at 14:12:45
Welllllllll.......... I guess this is really a question of denominational bias. I'm sure I would offend any Catholic reader by my true answer to your post, so, I will try to be as "general" and generic as possible. That said, here's my thoughts on the subject:
Unfortunately, it STILL seems the stigma of "mental illness" is very prevalent, especially amongst the religious organizations (that, ironically, should be the MOST accepting group!).
I would not feel comfortable speaking openly in my church congregation about my medical situations, so I do not think it is just a Catholic issue. However, I do not think a priest should ask about psych. conditions unless he was a PHD in pyschology. True, many therapists ARE ordained ministers or priests, and the so-called Christian therapist is actually in high demand.
Did the priest ask if you ever had homosexual tendencies or drug dependence or alcoholism? These would be as relevant as mental illness to me. Still, I don't think if you answered "yes" to his question, it would have made any difference (unless you fiance were not aware of your condition). If anything, I would think that would have made him all the more willing to be of assistance in helping you because of the POSSIBILITIES that you might have more problems adapting to married life than a "noramal" person would. Afterall, isn't that the idea, to help people cope with their problems? Now if he were to say "I don't think you should get married because of your mental illness, until it gets better." Then THAT'S an entirely different matter, and YES, I feel that would be discrimination based on medical conditions (which, BTW, is against Federal law... see the Americans with Disabilites Act of 1992).
As for the priest's request for a "permission slip" from your Pdoc.....that's a bunch of horse hockey! I PERSONALLY would re-consider my affiliation with that church. I'm sure that all Catholic priests are not that way, perhaps it's just him?
I can't tell you what YOU should do, but I know what I would do, and that would be to find another church.
PAX
poster:paxvox
thread:71
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20020527/msgs/92.html