April 11, 2018 — Jesuit Father Roberto “Carlos” Durán was ordained to the priesthood March 23 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador in the crypt of Blessed Archbishop Oscar Romero.

San Salvador Archbishop José Luis Escobar Arias presided at the ordination liturgy.

Fr. Durán is currently doing pastoral work in El Salvador at Parroquia San Bartolomé in Arcatao. Because of difficulties with his visa, Fr. Durán had to return to his native El Salvador to continue with his formation. He was originally set to be ordained this June in San Diego with four other Jesuits.

Jesuits West Provincial Father Scott Santarosa, SJ, said, “We hope that Carlos can return to the Faber Community in Boston, but when we join the Society, we join a worldwide body. So, like Carlos, we ask God to help us flourish wherever we are. Let us pray for our brother, Carlos, as he begins his ministry. And, let us also pray that he will return home to us soon.”

Fr. Durán undertook his first studies at Loyola University Chicago and the Jesuit philosophy program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from the Universidad Don Bosco in El Salvador. [Source: Jesuits West]