Elias Leyds CSJ Committed Suicide
The community of the Brothers of St John, to which Leyds formally belonged, write on their website that an investigation into the circumstances of the death is under way. In contrast, Munsterman adds that the investigation was completed on Wednesday morning and that several sources confirmed that Leyds died of suicide.
Munsterman describes Elias as "particularly zealous in proclaiming the Catholic faith" and "combative". He liked to provoke: "Christ also provoked, but always to bring out the best in others," he said.
"Since childhood, I have always had a sense of restlessness," Father Leyds said in 2014: "When I read the Book of Revelation in the Bible, I knew: this is right. I am not the only one who is crazy. The world is going to end one day."
He also practised boxing and worked for a time as a prison chaplain. He sometimes liked to show a tough side and used misogynistic slogans. He worked in Lithuania and Russia, among other places.
Leyds knew the Roman Mass and had not lived among his neo-conservative brethren for 10 years.
Four days before his death, he told listeners of Radio Maria: "Be optimistic, keep hope despite the confusion. The clearer the darkness comes to light, the less powerful it becomes. This is the Church of Christ. What He is allowing now, sadly, we have to accept as a challenge to our faith, but sooner or later we will see before our own eyes all of Satan's plans fall apart".
An EWTN colleague remembers him as "an incredibly impressive figure", "highly educated, witty, courageous, authentic, humble" and with "a wonderful sense of humour". At the same time, he was "down-to-earth and approachable".
If the cause of death was suicide, which is a mortal sin, there must have been a hidden side to this charming and devout priest.
May God have mercy on his soul.
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