Shia LaBeouf Converts To Catholicism, Says He Wants To Become A Deacon

Actor Shia LaBeouf converted to Catholicism after filming Abel Ferrara‘s Padre Pio. The biographical movie follows the first free election in Italy after World War I and delves into the spiritual struggles of Padre Pio, a priest.

Inspired by the story, LaBeouf has become Catholic and is considering becoming a deacon “sometime in the future,” according to the actor’s sponsor, Brother Alexander Rodriguez, in an interview with Catholic News Agency. 

Rodriguez said LaBeouf had “just spontaneously said, ‘I want to become a deacon,’ and he still feels that way.”

LaBeouf was confirmed on New Year’s Eve during a Mass celebrated by Capuchin Franciscan friars. Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, confirmed him. 

On X, formerly known as Twitter, Barron shared the news that LaBeof had been “fully received into the Church.” Then, he quoted St. Augustine of Hippo. 

The Capuchin Franciscans from the Western American Province also shared a statement on Facebook. They wrote, “We are thrilled to share that our dear friend Shia LaBeouf has fully entered the Church this past weekend through the sacrament of confirmation.”

LaBeouf grew up in an interfaith household, with a Jewish mother and a Christian father. He had both a bar mitzvah and a baptism.

In December 2020, his former girlfriend, FKA Twigs, filed a lawsuit against him. She accused LaBeouf of “relentless abuse,” sexual battery, assault and emotional distress. It was then that LaBeouf began to connect with Catholicism, saying that he was battling alcoholism during this time. 

LaBeouf told The Hollywood Reporter that Mel Gibson had helped him on his journey to Catholicism, even introducing him to Latin Mass.

He said that Gibson “was cautious with me. Many years ago, I went to his house and told him to his face that his religious views and politics were a hindrance to his craft. He giggled with grace and told me to read about the Maccabees.”