WEBSITE TITLE:A grieving parish gathered on Sept. 3 to mourn Rev. Rafael Ángel Ciro, a beloved priest in Paterson, New Jersey, whose life ended prematurely by suicide at age 45.

According to CNA, Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led Father Rafael’s funeral Mass, offering heartfelt words of faith and remembrance to family, clergy, and parishioners just one week after the priest’s passing.

Father Rafael died on Aug. 27, leaving behind a legacy of pastoral service and missionary work that spanned multiple countries and communities. Born in Colombia in 1979, he dedicated most of his adult life to priestly and missionary endeavors before becoming a central figure in the Diocese of Paterson.

Bishop comforts family and mourners

During the Mass held at St. Stephen’s Parish—where Father Rafael last served as pastor—Bishop Sweeney delivered a bilingual homily in English and Spanish. His message focused on unity in grief and the faith that sustains the Catholic community in times of loss.

Addressing Father Rafael’s mother, Elena Guarín, and brother, Jairo, the bishop emphasized the closeness of the faith family, saying, “We are with you and the entire family there in Colombia.” He told Mrs. Guarín that all priests now considered her their mother, describing the shared bond of spiritual kinship.

Also in attendance was Bishop Emeritus Arthur Serratelli, joining diocesan clergy and laypeople who had known or served with Father Rafael throughout his ministry. The emotional service reflected both deep sorrow and appreciation for the priest’s contributions.

A life of service across continents

Father Rafael was born on Oct. 29, 1979, in Alejandría, Antioquia, Colombia. He embarked on his religious education by earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín in 2006.

He continued his theological studies across three countries: in Mexico City at Intercontinental University from 2007 to 2009, at Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Connecticut from 2011 to 2012, and then at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland the following year.

Before joining the Paterson Diocese as a seminarian in 2011, he spent nearly six years as a missionary—first in Medellín, then in Mexico City—developing a pastoral heart that would define his future vocation.

Parishioners remember his pastoral impact

Father Rafael’s ministry in the United States included outreach to Hispanic migrants in both Alabama and New Jersey. His ordination took place on March 25, 2013, at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Clifton, marking the start of over a decade of committed service.

He served in several parishes, including St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Paterson and multiple churches in Passaic and Dover. Eventually becoming pastor of St. Stephen’s Parish, he remained a respected and trusted presence within the local community.

Bishop Sweeney highlighted these achievements in his homily, calling attention to Father Rafael’s missionary spirit and his dedication to accompanying the faithful. “Only God knows his daily journey and those he comforted,” the bishop said.

Finding faith in moments of questioning

Throughout the homily, Bishop Sweeney provided messages of consolation through Scripture, invoking the story of Martha questioning Jesus after the death of her brother Lazarus. Drawing parallels to the present sorrow, the bishop offered reassurance from Christ’s promise: “Your brother will rise.”

He continued by emphasizing that Jesus declares himself as “the resurrection and the life,” a message directed at Father Rafael’s grieving loved ones both in Paterson and in Colombia. These words, he suggested, offer hope even when answers remain elusive.

Quoting a familiar Spanish hymn to underscore God’s closeness, Bishop Sweeney said, “God is here, as surely as the air I breathe… He can hear me.” His remarks sought to bring the community peace in the face of profound grief.

Messages of gratitude and mental health awareness

The bishop openly expressed gratitude for Father Rafael’s family, acknowledging their sacrifice and support. “Thank you, Doña Elena, for giving us a very good priest,” he said, inviting a round of applause during the service.

He then offered a message to all those struggling with mental health challenges. “If you are feeling alone, anxious, or depressed,” he said, “you are not alone. God does not leave us by ourselves. We want to walk with you.”

This part of his homily was a call to reduce stigma around mental health, particularly within clergy and parish communities. It also echoed the importance of pastoral care not only in times of death but throughout life's most difficult struggles.

Final farewell and return to Colombia

Father Rafael’s body will be laid to rest in Colombia, his country of birth, accompanied by clergy from the Diocese of Paterson. Bishop Sweeney noted that “Jesus is here… and will accompany the priests who go with Father Rafael to his burial in his beloved Colombia.”

The funeral marked not only the end of a life but also a moment for the diocese to reflect on the challenges that even devoted clergy face. Bishop Sweeney concluded by commending Father Rafael’s soul to God and recognizing the many individuals he had guided and inspired.

The Mass was a moment filled with remembrance, faith, and a communal promise to support one another in grief and hope. As Bishop Sweeney said, echoing the shortest line in the Gospel: “Jesus wept.”