After nine years, a man has decided to leave the priesthood.
The minister stated that it is crucial for his mental health.
Reverend Lefoko Mogotsi, a South African who has served as a priest for more than nine years, recently announced his resignation in a moving TikTok video.
The reverend expressed his difficult choice to leave his job in order to put his mental health first via an emotionally packed post.
In the video, Reverend Mogotsi candidly explained that he had been battling depression and anxiety for several years, and the pressures associated with his role as a priest had profoundly affected his overall health.
In his words:
“After 9 years of being a priest, I am making the hardest decision of my life. I’ve decided to let go of my calling for the sake of my mental health. I am walking away. Judge me all you want.”
Watch the video below:
The reverend’s video struck a powerful chord with viewers as he candidly recounted the difficulties he had faced and emphasized the value of putting one’s own wellbeing first and taking time apart from the taxing nature of his vocation.
In a subsequent tweet, the minister added that he had a wife and kids and that he is not a Roman Catholic priest.
Reacting to the emotional clip
one @DYEYI-KHOZAH said; “Sebastical leave is needed sheeeemmm but most pastors are not aware of it. May the good Lord carry you.”
@baby said; “Don’t quite dear, as u are doing God’s work, deliverance will come for you. For his word says is there anything too hard for God, keep on in faith.”
@maan beny reacted; “But who said that a road going to God’s kingdom is easy please don’t give up just pray herder for with God never is impossible.”
@Teetee2 reacted: “It’s still better than hiding and doing the unthinkable!”
@Monis 2 commented: “I decide yesterday also to take a break but not from God, only the church. I’m drained. So sad that there’s no trauma counselling for pastors.”
@Palesa.Let reacted; “Love and light Reverend. I know God will see you thru this. it’s high time we accept gore baruti le bona ke batho. Hang on there. Speedy recovery.”
@Sindi Mnikathi commented: “Every time I want to go back to church, I remember why I left. I only visit other people’s churches, I don’t have one set church I go to.”