Shia LaBeouf Sets Sight On Deacon Role After Catholic Church Acceptance
By Afouda Bamidele on January 5, 2024 at 11:45 AM EST
Shia LaBeouf continues on his journey of finding God with deeper commitments!
Per a new report, the actor has officially joined the Catholic Church and reportedly aspires to become a deacon despite facing accusations of emotional and physical abuse in the past.
Shia LaBeouf Allegedly Has Eyes On A Catholic Deaconship
The Capuchin Franciscans — Western America Province announced on Tuesday that LeBeouf has "fully entered the Church this past weekend through the sacrament of confirmation!"
The announcement, conveyed through social media and accompanied by three images of the superstar posing with priests and friars, stated:
"The Capuchin Franciscan friars are overjoyed to welcome him into the fold and witness his deep commitment to his faith journey. Shia LaBeouf, known for his incredible talent and passion in the entertainment industry, has embarked on a profound spiritual journey that has led him to embrace the teachings of the Catholic Church."
The group added that the "Transformers" star's "decision to enter the Church fully is a testament to his sincere desire to grow in his relationship with God and live out the Gospel values."
According to PEOPLE, LaBeouf's confirmation occurred on Sunday at Old Mission Santa Inés Parish in Solvang, California. The 37-year-old's confirmation sponsor, Capuchin Friar Brother Alexander Rodriguez, further shared that he has expressed his intention to become a deacon in the church "sometime in the future."
Rodriguez disclosed that LaBeouf has been considering becoming a deacon since his involvement in the 2022 film "Padre Pio," where he portrayed 20th-century Italian priest Francesco Forgione. He had spent time at the California parish preparing for the role.
In Rodriguez's words, "He just spontaneously said, 'I want to become a deacon,' and he still feels that way."
Highlighting LeBeouf's new-found faith, The Blast reported that he echoed his confirmation sponsor's comments when he disclosed that this transformation occurred during his research for his role as Saint Padre Pio.
As the former Disney star explained, he grappled with inner demons — feeling as if his life was "on fire" and draining him of the strength to continue acting — during his research for the biography. In fact, he had contemplated suicide as a means to escape the turmoil in his life.
As he recalled during his August 2022 appearance on Bishop Robert Barron's YouTube series, "Word on Fire:"
"I had a gun on the table….I didn't want to be alive anymore. [I felt] shame – the kind of shame that you forget how to breathe …I also [had] this deep desire to hold on."
Delving deeper into his research while residing with a monastery of Franciscan Capuchin friars resulted in LeBeouf experiencing a "switch" in his mind. This shift ultimately changed his initial goal of preparing for the role into a profound encounter with a higher being.
LaBeouf acknowledged that he realized there was still hope for him despite how he had treated some people in the past, likely alluding to the abuse allegations previously leveled against him.
The performance artist faced two misdemeanors in 2021 — petty theft and battery — related to an altercation with an unidentified person. The Hollywood star shared that he found peace through prayers and studies in the monastery.
Reflecting on his spiritual journey, LaBeouf humorously remarked that he felt "tricked" into it but now recognizes that God was using his ego to draw him in.
Shia LaBeouf Is Also Thankful For His Wife's Impact On His Life
God is not the only one who gets credited for LeBeouf's upward trajectory in his journey. In September 2022, he publicly lauded his wife, actress Mia Goth, for contributing to his progress.
Kicking off the conversation, the entertainer divulged that it was Goth who initiated contact about reconciling while he was in rehab. The couple had been estranged for two years before reuniting in February 2022.
"She saved my f—— life. She was present for me at a time when I didn't deserve to have nobody in my life, especially her. She gave me hope when I was really running on fumes."
The couple would go on to welcome their first child, a baby girl named Isabel, in March 2022, which became a significant turning point for the two-time "Saturday Night Live" host. He expressed:
"There's a lot I need to work on. Having a daughter and knowing that your daughter is one day gonna search your name in a search engine and see that you are a deplorable, disgusting piece of s—, that s— hits.I have now until she's literate to create a relationship with her where she knows me more than this idea of who I am in the public."
