The Catholic community of Cannobio and the entire Diocese of Novara is in mourning following the tragic death of Father Matteo Balzano, 35, whose death has been confirmed as a suicide by church authorities. He was found dead in his residence, located next to the oratory of the San Vittore parish, after failing to attend the morning Mass on Saturday, July 5.

Matteo Balzano, an aeronautical engineer by training, was ordained a priest in 2017 after entering the seminary in 2010. In his brief but intense priestly career, he distinguished himself by his closeness to young people and his ability to organize community activities, especially a summer camp (“Grest”) that he enthusiastically took up again.

The Diocese of Novara, in an official statement, expressed its profound sorrow and asked for the prayers of the faithful for the eternal rest of its servant and for the comfort of his family and community. The Episcopal Vicar for the Clergy, Father Franco Giudice, recalled that “only the Lord, who searches the soul, knows the deepest mysteries of the human heart.”

The shock among the local faithful was immediate. Both the mayor of Cannobio, Gian Maria Minazzi, and members of the clergy reported that Matteo was much loved and showed no outward signs of suffering. Minazzi emphasized that “the news left everyone speechless. We never saw any signs of suffering.”

This painful event has sparked a necessary debate about the mental health of priests and the pressure inherent in the ministry: spiritual loneliness, the demand for constant accompaniment, and the difficulty in expressing weakness. In the words of Spanish priest Francisco Javier Bronchalo, “Matteo’s death is not just a tragedy. It is the silent cry of lonely, worn-out, and exhausted priests.” Bronchalo emphasizes that priests “have hearts, wounds, fatigue, and dark nights” and makes an urgent call to cultivate a pastoral approach that also accompanies those they accompany.

The diocese has called for a community prayer in memory of Matteo and invited reflection on the importance of emotional care for the clergy, fostering truth, affection, and community communion rather than judgment and indifference.

The passing of Father Matteo Balzano breaks the silence about the emotional strain often hidden behind the collar. It challenges us to cultivate a Church where care goes both ways: from the faithful to those who dedicate their lives to service, and from the ecclesial community to its pastors. Father Matteo dedicated his life to service, and the community today must respond to him by being a true family, a comfort, and a real presence.