Shia LaBeouf Joins the Catholic Church, Is Aiming to Become a Deacon

The actor's role as a saint in 'Padre Pio' inspired him to convert

BY Ben OkazawaPublished Jan 5, 2024

As the court date for the abuse lawsuit filed against Shia LaBeouf by his former partner FKA twigs has been pushed to October, the newly sober actor has become an official member of the Catholic Church, with aspirations of becoming a deacon. 

Once agnostic, LaBeouf, who's led many lives as a child star, Hollywood bad boy, rapper and anti-Trump activist, was inspired to convert to Catholicism in 2022 after portraying Italian saint Padre Pio in a biopic of the same name. 

Catholic News Agency reported this week that the actor was confirmed into the Church by Bishop Robert Barron at the Old Mission Santa Inés Parish, where he trained for his role as Padre Pio. 

LaBeouf touched on the impact that the film had on his decision to join the Church in May 2023, when he told ChurchPop that he was starting classes at the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

"Everybody else in the movie is religious. They are religious. They are in the order. So it's really easy to get lost and wrapped up in the salvific nature of their lifestyles," he said. "In so doing, I really found my way."

The Capuchin Franciscans — Western American Province announced the news on Facebook, writing, "We are thrilled to share that our dear friend Shia LaBeouf has fully entered the Church this past weekend through the sacrament of confirmation! The Capuchin Franciscan friars are overjoyed to welcome him into the fold and witness his deep commitment to his faith journey." 

 

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