Do you have a foreign priest or pastor?

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Our last several have been from India… at least the last three at our parish. A year ago, the diocese took on a missionary from South America.
 
Not at my current parish, but my first job out of college was working at a parish where the priest was from Nigeria. He’s a US citizen and a diocesan priest now, but he still has a Nigerian accent. I really liked him a lot.

The associate pastor of that parish where I worked was from the Dominican Republic, and he is the one who I introduced me to my future husband.

I’m originally from a rural area and my mom said that a priest originally from Kenya had been transferred to a neighboring town about a half hour away. Sounds like it was really rough at the beginning and the people were not very patient with his accent. It’s unfortunate, especially since my parents invited him over for dinner and said he was delightful and filled with the Holy Spirit. Last I heard though, it sounds like things are improving some. Makes me sad that it was so difficult at the start.
 
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Those from foreign countries have different experiences and a different point of view. Sometimes, they may also come from a background of persecution for their Faith.
It is not surprising they are often quite amazing to us.
Yes! My pastor is from Eastern Europe. He grew up under Communism, a member of an illegal Church. He definitely brings an important perspective to the religious freedom that we have as Americans. as well as our responsibility to protect it.

His English, by the way, is excellent. He has even mastered the use of articles. Those of you who are familiar with Slavic languages will know that can be quite difficult.
 
Yes, we have one American priest, one from Ireland, Columbia, and ughanda. I love them all. The foreign born priests just underline how our church is ONE universal church. I love the perspectives they bring.
 
yes, there have been the same issue at our parish. some people are just so mean about it, I have heard with my own ears, people saying that these men shouldn’t have been allowed to be ordained if they can’t speak English properly. just so sad and rude.

currently, we have one from Vietnam and one from Italy, in the past we have had priests from India, China and the Philippines
 
Yes, they are wonderful. Each has something new for us, and takes away new perspectives too.

God bless and keep each one of my Priests.
 
I live within the confines of the Archdiocese of Boston, however, I’m a registered parishioner
in the Maronite Church. MOST Maronite priests in the U.S. I believe come from Lebanon.
My pastor is from Lebanon, but speaks English quite well.
 
Is it me or does this question come across a little xenophobic?
Actually, it would be “xenophilic”: fascinated with or affectionate towards other cultures. Someone who loves to travel and embrace other cultures is an example of a xenophilic person.

I asked the original question in that spirit, which is much more positive.
 
Sort of. There are four priests in my parish. Three are French, including our pastor. The fourth is Haitian. The parish is in France, so technically we have one foreign priest. I’m an American, however, so they’re all foreign to me 😊
 
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Yes, the pastor of my parish is from Poland. The pastor at the next closest parish is from the Philippines. Both great guys. When I was a kid, many of our priests and pastors were from Ireland. We still have an old Irish pastor emeritus at a nearby parish. I also live near a major Catholic university, and many priests come from India and Africa to study. They minister in our local parishes while they are taking their classes and then move on. We miss them when they go.
 
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It’s definitely just you, we’re embracing the universality and diversity of the Church.
 
Our parish priest is from Ghana, West Africa. A blessing. Veteran of many exorcisms back home. Very wise and spiritual.
 
The local parish in my town, last time I went, has a pastor with a super thick Irish accent.
 
When I was in grade school we had a priest from India. Think he went by father joe. Great guy, really funny.
 
This brings me back to my Catholic grade school days, with Irish priests and Sisters of Mercy.
 
In my diocese we have a priest from Nigeria and a few priests from Latin America I don’t know where but I am friends with one of the priests he is even on Facebook every Sunday night at 8:30 he goes live on Facebook and gives a reflection on the days readings
 
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