Monsignor John Cihak was raised in a large family on the outskirts of Corvallis, Oregon. He has a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and earned a Licentiate in Fundamental Theology and Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.

He is the author of Balthasar and Anxiety (T&T Clark, 2009), co-author of The Catholic Guide to Depression (Sophia Institute, 2012), the editor of Charles Borromeo: Selected Orations, Homilies and Other Writings (Bloomsbury, 2017), and several articles in theology and catechesis.

He has served in several parishes throughout the Archdiocese and has held teaching positions at Mount Angel Seminary and the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was also a theological consultant for the Spirit of Truth K-8 catechetical curriculum (Sophia Institute Press), which we use in our parish school.

Prior to his arrival to Christ the King Parish in July 2018, he served at the Vatican as an official of the Congregation for Bishops and as a Papal Master of Ceremonies for Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. 

 In addition to his duties at Christ the King, he serves as the Archdiocesan Director of Continuing Education of Clergy.

Check out his vocation story

Watch his interview with the Catholic Sentinel on his return to Oregon