With 13 years in recovery from alcoholism, Bodnarchuk knows very well of what he speaks.

Acknowledging the profound effect the spirituality of the Twelve Steps has had on his life, Bodnarchuk practices what he describes as the "principle of attraction over promotion" in his ministry. "From the pulpit, in small groups, wherever the topic arises," said Bodnarchuk, "I state openly, yet sensitively, that this is a disease that neither plays favorites nor grants favors, and that support and resources are available for addicts and those involved in their lives. Clergy can offer a tremendous front-line presence for individuals and families affected by addiction."

Clergy training enhanced skills
Though his experience with alcoholism and recovery provided a solid base from which to help those affected by this disease, Bodnarchuk felt that he could become more effective in his work with additional training in chemical dependency counseling. Seven years ago, at the suggestion of a fellow priest, he contacted Hazelden and was quickly accepted into the Professionals in Residence (PIR) program, where he spent six months under the supervision of John Mac Dougall, D Min, manager of Spiritual Care and the Family Program in Center City, Minn. "This program really helped Bodnarchuk highlight the possibilities open to him in his ministry for addressing addiction-related issues," he said.

Bodnarchuk describes his time at Hazelden as a one of tremendous growth. "I learned new counseling skills and discovered additional resources for helping people with the disease. Equally important, I gained a deeper appreciation of the insidious effect of this disease on the family members of the addict."

Today, Bodnarchuk, who's widely and proudly known in Saskatoon as the "recovery" or "alcoholic" priest, stays actively engaged in guiding and counseling addicts and others affected by addiction. He maintains a close relationship with Calder Center, a large treatment center in the city, facilitates Twelve Step retreats at Queen's House Retreats, offers evening sessions on Twelve Step spirituality, and works with the business community to heighten awareness of the addiction problem and its effects on employees and the workplace. Recently, the Anglican and Lutheran seminaries in Saskatoon invited Bodnarchuk to speak about the disease concept of addiction to their fourth-year students, and he regularly receives referrals from other priests and ministers. "I am also frequently called upon to facilitate Twelve Step interventions--most often by families--when circumstances become unmanageable and unbearable for a loved one," he said.

Overcoming the stigma
How can clergy play a more effective role in identifying the problem of addiction and guiding people to get help? Bodnarchuk offers several suggestions. "One of the most positive steps clergy can take," he said, "is to break the ‘no talk' rule, thus legitimizing the discussion of addiction in your congregation." Other steps include becoming better informed about addiction and local resources for recovery; inviting guest speakers from AA, NA, or Al-Anon to address forums, workshops, or classes in your synagogue or church; establishing a congregation-supported "recovery" scholarship fund to help people pay for treatment; attend AA open meetings to become familiar with these programs; and finally, make it clear to congregations that a family can get help, whether or not the person with the addiction problem has done so.

"We simply need to break the silence that surrounds addiction," said Bodnarchuk. "It's so important for clergy to not be afraid to talk about this issue, to help attack the stigma of the disease."

Bodnarchuk firmly believes that the more fearless, open and vulnerable religious communities become, and the more they acknowledge their weaknesses, the stronger they actually are. "It's in our shared weakness that we are strongest," he said. Bodnarchuk has often witnessed the power of such openness in his work with addicts. "A profound sense of relief comes over those who are newly into recovery when they discover that I am a priest and a recovering alcoholic," he said. "That revelation relieves them of much guilt, shame and embarrassment. They seem to feel a sense of forgiveness knowing that if addiction can happen to a priest, it can happen to anyone."

As an alcoholic, Bodnarchuk too often experienced the feeling, as he describes it, of the "moral culpability of the alcoholic and the moral superiority of the helper. Even though unstated, they are always clearly understood," he said. "Today in my ministry, rather than say, ‘This is what you've got to do,' I instead offer this: ‘Yes, I understand. This is what happened to me, and this is what I did.' I am personally convinced that the basic search of all human beings is to find at least one other person before whom we can stand completely naked, stripped of all pretense or defense, and trust that that person will not hurt us because, in fact, that other person has stripped him/herself naked, too. That lifelong search can begin to conclude with that very first spiritual encounter with another individual who says, 'This is what I did, too.' Judgment, morality, and religious condemnation simply have no place in the discussion of addiction."

--by Joe Moriarity

Published in The Voice, Summer 2004