A Review of “The Trouble with You Is the Trouble with Me, by Rev. Paul C. White
The Catholic Church has long been a place of healing and redemption, yet in recent decades, it has also suffered great wounds—some inflicted by its own clergy. While the grievous actions of a small number of priests have rightfully drawn condemnation, they do not define the priesthood. Over 97% of Catholic priests serve faithfully, with dedication and sacrifice, offering their lives to others. Among these exceptional priests was Monsignor William Clausen, a man who exemplified what it means to be a wounded healer.
In The Trouble with You Is the Trouble with Me, Fr. Paul C. White offers a moving tribute to the life and ministry of Fr. Bill Clausen, a recovering alcoholic who, through his own struggles, became a lifeline for countless others battling addiction. Fr. White himself, a recovering alcoholic raised in a family with addiction, writes from a place of deep understanding. His book is both a biography and a testimony to the transformative power of redemption, community, and faith.
What does this mean: “The Trouble with you is the trouble with me”?
The title of the book, The Trouble with You Is the Trouble with Me, captures one of Fr. Bill’s guiding principles: that in recognizing our own wounds, we come to understand and heal others. It was through his own suffering—his battle with alcohol, his childhood abuse, and the isolation of priesthood—that Fr. Bill found his calling as a healer. He lived Henri Nouwen’s Wounded Healer philosophy, knowing that those who have suffered deeply are often the best guides for others in pain.
Fr. Bill’s story is one of extraordinary grace. Ordained in 1962, he found himself in a priesthood where excessive drinking was common, especially in small and isolated parishes. His own descent into alcoholism was gradual but nearly fatal. By 1975, he was drinking half a bottle of whiskey a day, losing control of his body, and nearing death. A compassionate sister, Sr. Agnes, intervened, convincing the bishop that Fr. Bill needed help. This act of mercy led him to Guest House, a treatment center for clergy and religious struggling with addiction. It was there that he was reborn.
His last drink was June 12, 1975.
The most powerful aspect of Fr. Bill’s journey is not just his personal recovery but how he used his own pain to lift others. He did not hide his past—he embraced it. He became the rock for struggling priests in the Diocese of Rockford, leading interventions, offering counseling, and reshaping the culture of priestly formation. He helped establish a diocesan health committee and was instrumental in ensuring that new priests were placed with healthier mentors. Through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Guest House, he brought dignity and hope to those who felt lost.
“Pain is the stepchild of wisdom”
Fr. Bill’s ministry was not limited to clergy. He created a network of “spiritual sons,” mentoring young men—priests, seminarians, and laypeople—who struggled with addiction and despair. He reminded them: “Pain is the stepchild of wisdom.” His words, actions, and deep compassion left an indelible mark on those he served.
His legacy is that of a true shepherd, a pastor who believed in the power of love over judgment. Even as he battled the effects of Parkinson’s disease late in life, he continued to mentor and guide. He knew that healing was not about erasing the past but transforming it into a source of grace for others.
The Catholic Church does not need unhealed wounders, as Fr. Bill would say. It needs wounded healers—priests and laypeople who, through their own suffering, bring light to others. The Trouble with You Is the Trouble with Me is a book that reminds us of this truth. It is a story of struggle, redemption, and the quiet heroism of a man who turned his deepest wounds into a source of grace for others.
I wholeheartedly endorse this book. It is a profound and inspiring read, not just for Catholics, but for anyone seeking to understand the power of faith, resilience, and the human capacity for transformation. Fr. Bill Clausen’s life is a testament to the Church’s true mission—to heal, to serve, and to love.
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