Shia LaBeouf, the actor whose career has been marked by legal troubles and personal challenges, has taken a significant step in his spiritual journey by converting to Catholicism and receiving the sacrament of confirmation.
This transformative decision reflects his sincere desire to grow in his relationship with God and live according to Gospel values, according to a statement shared on the Facebook page of the Capuchin Franciscans-Western American Province.
Capuchin friar Brother Alexander Rodriguez, who served as LaBeouf's confirmation sponsor, revealed that the actor aspires to become a deacon in the future.
Rodriguez shared that LaBeouf's interest in the diaconate emerged during the filming of the 2022 movie Padre Pio, in which he portrayed the titular Italian Capuchin friar, ultimately recognized as a saint.
Rodriguez mentioned, "He just spontaneously said, 'I want to become a deacon,' and he still feels that way." Currently, LaBeouf's primary focus is on caring for his daughter, Isabel, whom he shares with partner Mia Goth.
LaBeouf, renowned for his roles in blockbuster films like Transformers and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, faced a major controversy in 2020 when his ex-girlfriend, FKA Twigs, sued him for allegations of physical, mental, and emotional abuse.
In the lawsuit, which is set for trial in 2023, FKA Twigs says: "Shia LaBeouf hurts women [...] He uses them. He abuses them, both physically and mentally. He is dangerous."
The singer, who was previously engaged to Robert Pattinson, accused LaBeouf of waking her up on a Valentine's Day trip and choking her, saying: "If you don't stop you are going to lose me."
Further claims detail how LaBeouf began method-acting for his role as a gangster in the film Tax Collector, taking his character so seriously that he allegedly drove around Los Angeles and shot stray dogs dead in an effort to get into the "mindset" of a killer. This profoundly disturbed his former girlfriend.
FKA Twigs, whose real name is Tahliah Barnett, also claimed that her former partner insisted that she sleep naked and counted the number of kisses she gave him per day, berating her if they weren't enough.
After attempting to resolve the matter in private, an attorney acting on behalf of FKA Twigs told Variety: "Since he was unwilling to agree to get appropriate help, Ms. Barnett filed this suit to prevent others from unknowingly suffering similar abuse by him."
Following these allegations, LaBeouf took a significant step toward seeking help by entering a long-term facility. The subsequent year saw him cast in the role of Padre Pio, a beloved priest known for his deep spirituality and devotion to serving others.
In a prior conversation with Bishop Robert Barron, who presided over LaBeouf's confirmation ceremony, the 37-year-old actor revealed that his portrayal of the saint had a profound impact on his conversion to Catholicism. This spiritual transformation marks a significant shift for LaBeouf, who had previously identified as an atheist.
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