Priest

The Latest

Father Mark Beard, pastor of St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite City, Louisiana, died in a car accident Aug. 2, 2023.

Baton Rouge priest killed in a car crash remembered for his holiness, passion for truth

Aug 8, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Father Mark Beard, who died Aug. 2, became a priest later in life after a successful career and was known... Read more

At World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Nelson Cintra (at left in top row) was changed by Christ — and now he will go to Lisbon as a new priest for World Youth Day 2023, Aug. 1–6.

‘Give your life to Jesus’: How a World Youth Day put a young man on the path to priesthood

Jul 25, 2023

By Lori Hadacek Chaplin

At World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid, Nelson Cintra knelt and prayed: “Christ, I give you my whole life.” Read more

Father Benjamin Sellier.

French priest accused of abusing a young girl commits suicide

Jul 17, 2023

By Walter Sanchez Silva

According to local media France Bleu Nord, the 47-year-old priest was hit by a freight train in the northern region... Read more

Father Marcellus Nwaohuocha was abducted on June 17, 2023, from the Archdiocese of Jos in Nigeria.

Missionary priest abducted in Nigeria’s Jos Archdiocese; security guard killed

Jun 19, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Marcellus Nwaohuocha, a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was kidnapped June 17. Read more

The parish of  St. Josemaría in Alcorcón, Spain, was vandalized the night of June 15-16, 2023.

Same church in Spain where priest was stabbed has now been vandalized and robbed

Jun 16, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Fortunately, the priest was able to determine that the tabernacle was untouched. Read more

Father Charles Onomhoale Igechi was shot dead while returning from pastoral duties in Nigeria’s Benin City Archdiocese on Wednesday, June 7.

Nigerian priest returning from pastoral duties shot dead; archdiocese in ‘great shock’

Jun 12, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

In a statement shared June 8 with ACI Africa, CNA’s African news partner, Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze expressed shock at... Read more

Father Leandro NaunHung.

Parents of priest in Cuba attacked with machetes in home invasion

Jun 8, 2023

By Diego Lopez Marina

The priest posted an update on Facebook on his parents’ health, stating that his mother “only received minor blows” but... Read more

Father Javier García Villafaña was found shot to death on May 22, 2023.

Bishops demand ‘exhaustive investigation’ into murder of priest in Mexico

May 24, 2023

By David Ramos

“We strongly condemn this act of violence that has not only taken a life but also threatens peace and justice... Read more

Funeral of Fathers Javier Campos Morales, SJ, and Joaquín César Mora Salazar, SJ, in June 2022.

Jesuits in Mexico issue statement on the death of alleged murderer of two priests

Mar 29, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

Jesuit Father Luis Gerardo Moro Madrid said the alleged murder of José Noriel Portillo is not a reason to celebrate. Read more

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Decline in vocations to the priesthood is worse where priests serve larger flocks, report says

Mar 3, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The study found that there are fewer new vocations in large dioceses where priests do not have a chance to... Read more

One car was damaged after an accident on a road in Mexico, witnessed by Father Salvador Nuño, who stopped to ask if the man in the car needed help. The man made a surprising request: “I want to confess.”

Mexico priest recounts ‘amazing’ confession of accident victim he stopped to help

Jan 31, 2023

By CNA Staff

Father Salvador Nuño, a Legionary of Christ priest who serves in Monterrey, Mexico, shared the story on Facebook Jan. 27. Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Gyumri, Armenia, June 25, 2016.

Pope Francis compares the life of a priest to the mysteries of the rosary

Dec 10, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis told seminarians on Saturday that praying the rosary can “unveil the mysteries of the priesthood” in its moments... Read more

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Soccer manager turned priest shares message of peace ahead of World Cup playoffs

Oct 7, 2022

By CNA Staff

Father David Jasso appealed to players and fans to remember “that sports and soccer are also a gift from God.” Read more

Deborah True was investigated on suspicion of embezzling church funds at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Florida. Police say the former pastor, Father Richard “Dick” Murphy, who died on March 22, 2020, was also involved in funneling money from the parish.

Florida priest and parish administrator embezzled $1.5 million from parish, police say

Sep 22, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

The Diocese of Palm Beach contacted the police department in December 2021, raising concerns about a fraudulent bank account and... Read more

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Archdiocese of Washington suspends priest charged with indecent exposure

Sep 2, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

A Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Washington has been placed on administrative leave and suspended from public ministry pending... Read more

The Catholic Cathedral of Limburg in Hesse, Germany.

Rector of German Catholic seminary found dead

Jun 13, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Diocese of Limburg said: ‘We have lost a committed and much-appreciated pastor.’ Read more

Protests in Havana, July 11, 2021.

Cuban priest decries summary trials of protesters without a defense lawyer

Aug 3, 2021

By Diego Lopez Marina

Participants in last month’s protests of Cuba’s communist government are facing summary trials without adequate legal aid, a Jesuit priest... Read more

Father Wilson Malavé Parrales. Credit: Parroquia San Agustín Guayaquil Padre Agustinos via Facebook.

Ecuadorian priest awarded by city for feeding hundreds of the needy daily

Jul 28, 2021

By Walter Sanchez Silva

The Mayor's Office of Guayaquil on Sunday awarded Fr. Wilson Malavé Parrales, director of the Lord of Good Hope Soup... Read more

St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Catholic priest attacked with glass bottle while praying at cathedral in Scotland

Jul 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

‘The bottle broke on the ground and the man continued using it in his assault,’ the archdiocese said. Read more

The body of St. Pio of Pietrelcina at San Lorenzo fuori le mura, Rome, Feb. 3, 2016.

Father John Paul Mary: Overcoming an irrational fear of St Padre Pio

May 25, 2021

By Autumn Jones

Early in his priesthood, Father John Paul Mary Zeller, MFVA, employee chaplain of EWTN, had an ‘irrational fear’ of Saint... Read more