Shia LaBeouf converts to Catholic, wants to become a deacon

MANILA, Philippines — Actor Shia LaBeouf has been confirmed into the Catholic Church and has expressed his intention to become a deacon in the future.

Religious media outlet Catholic News Agency confirmed that LaBeouf received the sacrament of confirmation earlier this week from Bishop Robert Barron, sharing a post from the Facebook account of the Capuchin Franciscans-Western American Province.

"The Capuchin Franciscan friars are overjoyed to welcome him into the fold and witness his deep commitment to his faith journey," the Facebook post read. "His decision to fully enter the Church is a testament to his sincere desire to grow in his relationship with God and live out the Gospel values."

The ceremony took place in Old Mission Santa Inés Parish in Solvang, California, the same Capuchin parish LaBeouf went to train for the titular role of Abel Ferrara's "Padre Pio."

Friends, please join me and the Capuchin friars in continued prayer for Shia LaBeouf. Shia was fully received into the Church through the sacrament of Confirmation on New Year’s Eve.

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” —St.… pic.twitter.com/H33IRQPWCs

— Bishop Robert Barron (@BishopBarron) January 4, 2024

The friar who sponsored LaBeouf's confirmation, Brother Alexander Rodriguez, also told the outlet the actor wants to become a deacon "sometime in the future" as a result of LaBeouf's experience doing the movie. Rodriguez appears in the film as a friar.

"He just spontaneously said, 'I want to become a deacon,' and he still feels that way," Rodriguez added.

LaBeouf spent a lot of time with Franciscan friars in Old Mission Santa Inés to prepare for "Padre Pio," also diving into Scripture and the works of important Catholic writers. 

The actor was raised by his Jewish mother and Christian father, receiving both a bar mitzvah and a baptism in his youth.

He is best known for starring in the first three "Transformers" films, "Even Stevens," "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," "Holes," "Fury," "Disturbia," "Eagle Eye," and will next be seen in Francis Ford Coppola's sci-fi epic "Megalopolis."

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