Blind priest says own suffering has made him better counselor

Published: 2004-04-28

TOLEDO, Ohio (CNS) -- Father Richard Saelzler, who lost his eyesight two years ago, is a firm believer that those who are "willing to share in the blessings" have to also be "willing to share in the cup" and endure struggles. "I'm struggling to take up my cross every day, just like everybody else," Father Saelzler told the Catholic Chronicle, newspaper of the Toledo Diocese. The priest, known to most as Father Ric, is in residence at St. Thomas More University Parish in Bowling Green. He works at the parish as a counselor. He went blind when he suffered complications following surgery for cancer of the esophagus. He almost died when his blood pressure dropped dramatically and he "crashed," he said. His doctors saved his life, but a lack of oxygen to his optic nerve destroyed his eyesight. He was in a coma in intensive care for days. When he lost his sight, Father Saelzler said, his immediate reaction was to ask, "What am I going to do?"

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