About Father Rafael Padilla, JCL

Fr. Rafael Padilla, JCL, was born on September 16 in Borburata, Venezuela. He was ordained into the priesthood on August 6, 1989 in San Carlos, Venezuela.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts at St. Alphonsus College in Connecticut and earned a degree of Divinity at St. Idelfonso Seminary in Toledo, Spain. He also earned a degree in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America.

Father Rafael has been serving in the Diocese of Venice since the early 1991.  In his many years of priesthood, he has worked with diverse communities.  His first assignment as Priest-in-charge was at Jesus the Worker and San Jose Missions in Fort Myers, FL.  These two missions serve the migrant community in the area.  Father was transferred to St. Andrew Parish in Cape Coral where he served as one of the Parochial Vicars with both the English and Spanish speaking communities until the year 2000.  His next assignment was to study Canon Law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he obtained a licentiate in Canon Law.  Upon his return to the diocese as a Canon Lawyer he began Tribunal Ministry as Judge, Advocate and Defender of the Bond. He was the Vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes in Venice and celebrated Mass in Spanish at Epiphany Cathedral.

In July 2007, Bishop Frank J. Dewane appointed Father Rafael as the Administrator of St. Maximilian Kolbe while retaining his assignments as one of the Judges and advocate in the Diocesan Tribunal.  At the bishop's request, Father Rafael began a Spanish Mass  and Ministry at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish to serve the Hispanic community in Port Charlotte, and the surrounding areas.

On April 30, 2010, Bishop Frank J. Dewane appointed Father Rafael as the third (3rd) Pastor of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish.

November 15, 2010 - Father Rafael E. Padilla, J.C.L., appointed to the College of Consultors by Bishop Frank J. Dewane.