Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib won’t seek re-election, will pursue a religious calling

Democratic Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib announced Thursday he will not seek re-election and is entering the Jesuit order of the Catholic Church to become a priest.

“I’ve felt a calling to dedicate my life in a more direct and personal way to serving the marginalized, empowering the vulnerable, healing those suffering from spiritual wounds, and accompanying those discerning their own futures,” Habib wrote in an essay in America magazine, explaining his announcement.

The 38-year-old Habib, who as lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate, was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2012, to the state Senate two years later, and as Lieutenant Governor in 2016.

In the essay, Habib wrote that “Jesuits are known for their dedication to education, particularly higher education, for their philosophy of finding God in all people, cultures and things, for their advocacy for a more inclusive church and world and for serving as spiritual directors rooted in the contemplative practices of Ignatian spirituality.

“And now Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope, has brought these values to his leadership of the global church and, in so doing, inspired a generation of Catholics to re-engage with their faith. At this point, it is too early for me to know where my life as a Jesuit will take me, but I am confident that it will involve teaching, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, advocacy and spiritual accompaniment,” Habib wrote.

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 12:12 PM.