A Catholic priest, Chidi Philip has warned Nigerian parents to stop sending their young daughters and sons to live with priests for “training”.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The young Reverend Father said this is necessary to avoid what he calls “mistakes”.

According to him, nobody is perfect, priests are human, families are human, mistakes happen but there is one mistake parents really must stop making -sending their children to go and live permanently with priests “for training” to become a priest.

He added that keeping children away from the parish rectory is a way to protect the children, the priests, and the church.

In his words:

“For the Sake of the Child and the Priest: Stop Sending your son or daughter to Live With Priests in the parish rectory.

“Recently, I watched a video of VeryDarkMan where a Catholic priest was falsely accused of wrongdoing simply because he welcomed a boy into his parish to help him.

“Thankfully, the truth eventually came out and his name was cleared. Still, I couldn’t help but think of the emotional and spiritual trauma that comes from being wrongly accused, especially when all you wanted to do was help.

“Nobody is perfect. Priests are human. Families are human. Mistakes happen. But there is one mistake we really must stop making, sending our children to go and live permanently with priests “for training” to become a priest.

“The rectory is not a seminary. The priest’s house is not a boarding home. And the priest is not a substitute parent. Yes, children can visit occasionally. They can receive guidance, support, mentorship. But living permanently in a priest’s house is not healthy, not wise, and not safe, spiritually or emotionally.

“And honestly, I don’t even blame many priests. In our culture, it is very difficult to say no to relatives and parishioners. There is pressure. There is expectation. There is the desire to help. Sometimes priests accept simply because refusing would cause misunderstanding or offense.

“But we need to know this, priest’s life is a battlefield. Spiritually. Emotionally. Sometimes even physically. Priests fight battles daily, many of which the public never sees. And when the enemy cannot strike them directly, he can attempt to strike through the people closest to them, including the young people living under their roof.

“Beyond that spiritual reality, there are also human risks. Scandals. Misunderstandings. False accusations. Emotional dependency. Abuse of trust. Broken boundaries. And yes, really dark stories that never should have happened.

Even where there is no wrongdoing at all, the appearance of impropriety is enough to ruin reputations and destroy lives. One careless rumor is enough. One manipulated story is enough. One emotional attachment taken the wrong way is enough.

“How many times have we heard of “Father’s boy” or “Father’s daughter,” where unhealthy attachment, confusion of roles, or spiritual manipulation creeps in? This is not about attacking priests or families. It is about protecting everyone.

“The rectory is not a private house for experimentation with boundaries. It belongs to the Church. And the Church must protect priests and children alike.

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“Honestly, our dioceses need to regulate this culture more strictly. There should be clear rules. No minors living permanently in the rectory. No informal “training to become a priest.” No blurred relationships.

“If your son or daughter is meant for priesthood or religious life, there are seminaries and approved formation houses. These are structured environments with trained formators, not private living rooms with constant visitors, spiritual duties, and unending pressures.

“Let me speak directly to parents. If you currently have a child living with a priest, bring that child home this year. Bring them back to their family. Their normal childhood.

“Some environments are simply not meant for growing vulnerable hearts. Because the truth many won’t say out loud is this. After living in the parish rectory. Some children come out wounded. Some come out good. Some leave confused about faith. Some even walk away from God. Some become atheist and lost respect for priesthood and the church entirely.

“Support priests. Love priests. Respect priests. But don’t turn the priest’s house into a boarding school or a long-term lodging for your child. Protect your children. Protect your priests. Protect the Church. Sometimes the best way to help is to simply say, Father, thank you but my child will stay at home.”