Suicide of Young Italian Priest: Renewed Attention on Care for the Caregivers

The suicide of 35-year-old Italian priest Father Matteo Balzano has left a grieving parish and a shaken Church, renewing discussion on the unseen emotional weight many priests carry in silence.

Father Matteo was found dead in his parish residence in Cannobio, in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, on July 5, after failing to appear for Sunday Mass. A beloved shepherd to his community, his death has moved not only local parishioners but clergy across Italy and beyond.

“Only the Lord knows the mysteries of the human soul,” wrote Father Franco Giudice, episcopal vicar for clergy in the Diocese of Novara, as cited in Catholic News Agency. “We entrust Don Matteo to the mercy of God and embrace his family and community in sorrow.”

Before his passing, Father Matteo had made a chilling remark to a parishioner: “No one knows the hell one has inside to commit such an extreme act.” His funeral Mass was held on July 8 at St. Victor Church, followed by burial in his hometown of Grignasco, a small town in the Province of Novara.

His death is a tragic testament to how often priests suffer quietly, weighed down by emotional exhaustion, loneliness, and unrealistic expectations. Priests need accompaniment and support.

Peruvian priest and social activist Father Omar Buenaventura shared a heartfelt response: “We priests are not made of stone. We cry, we fall, and sometimes the weight is too great.”

Spanish priest Father Francisco Bronchalo, reflecting on the tragedy, noted that priests are often treated as if they must be unbreakable. “We are poor men with fragile souls. We don’t need pity, we need community, truth, affection,” he said. He added that indifference wounds more deeply than hate: “Many of us live under judgment and silence.”

While churches in countries like France and Brazil have taken steps to confront the mental health crisis among clergy, with dozens of priest suicides recorded in recent years, Italy has lagged behind. “In France, bishops had the courage to publish research on clergy health,” said theology professor Father Giorgio Ronzoni. “In Italy, such transparency is still avoided.”

Father Matteo’s passing is a tragedy. But it is also a wake-up call. His story speaks for countless others who serve tirelessly while hiding their pain. It reminds us that priests, too, are human, called to care, yes, but also in need of care themselves.