A Catholic priest commited suicide in New Jersey. U.S.A. Bishop Kevin Sweeney, of Paterson, New Jersey, called for prayer following the suicide of Father Rafael Ciro, a Colombian-born priest who ministered as pastor of St. Stephen’s Church.
Statement from Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney of the Diocese of Paterson on the death of Reverend Rafael Ciro: “Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage…” – Psalm 23.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this past Wednesday, with profound sadness, we shared the news of the sudden death of Father Rafael Ciro, pastor of St. Stephen’s Church, Paterson. We have received official confirmation from the Medical Examiner that Father Rafael died by suicide.
We continue to mourn as a diocesan family and consider our presbyterate, which has lost a brother; the parish community of St. Stephen’s, which has lost a beloved pastor; and Father Rafael’s dear family and friends in Colombia.
Father Rafael was a faithful, joyful, and dedicated priest since his ordination on May 25, 2013. The Word of God teaches us that “…we hold these treasures in earthen vessels…” (2 Cor. 4:7). A priest is a human being, and none of us is immune to illness.
Though most of us realize that physical illness can be fatal, we may not always realize that the same is true of other illnesses. Father Rafael fought the good fight in his struggles with mental illness with the support and care of friends, counselors, and brother priests.
The level of profound desperation that insidiously led a person of deep faith to this earthly conclusion is impossible to comprehend. Therefore, we lift Father Rafael and his grieving loved ones and colleagues up in prayer for the consolation that only God gives.
