Msgr. John R. Cihak, S.T.D.
ICLE Chaplain and Pastor of Christ the King Parish and School in Milwaukie, OR
Monsignor John Cihak was raised in a large family on the outskirts of Corvallis, Oregon. Since 2018, he has been the pastor of Christ the King Parish and School in Milwaukie, Oregon, the first parish school in Oregon to affiliate with ICLE. 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 and book chapters in theology.
He has served in several parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Portland, 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).
From 2009-2018, 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. He travelled with Pope Benedict XVI on his papal visit to Loreto, Italy (2012) and with Pope Francis on his papal visits to Korea (2014), Sri Lanka (2015), the United States (2015), Myanmar and Bangladesh (2017).
From 2018-2024 he served as the Archdiocesan Director of Continuing Education of Clergy. In addition to his duties at Christ the King he currently is the Vicar Forane of the South Portland Suburban Vicariate and a member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors. Since May 2025 he also serves as our national chaplain and as a member of our Board of Directors. He enjoys playing music, fishing and hiking.