Controversial Priest Fr. Łukasz Prausa Passes Away After Illness

Fr. Łukasz Prausa, a controversial Pallottine clergyman, died on March 20, 2025, at 8:00 PM after battling a long-term illness. Known for claiming to have stigmata and mystical visions of Jesus Christ, his life and ministry stirred significant debate within the Catholic community. Born in Poznań, Poland, Fr. Prausa was ordained in 2015 and served as a vicar in the Pallottine parish located on Łagiewnicka Street in Łódź for two years.

Fr. Prausa gained notoriety for his fervent opposition to the practice of distributing Holy Communion in hand and through extraordinary ministers. His services, which included Masses dedicated to healing and deliverance, attracted considerable attendance, prompting both fervent support and stark criticism. According to Dziennik Łódzki, he continued to celebrate these Masses even after his suspension on December 10, 2021, during which he was forbidden from performing priestly duties.

The Pallottine Fathers announced on January 20, 2022, that they distanced themselves from Fr. Prausa, citing his suspension. The official statement highlighted that he no longer resided in a Pallottine house, thereby limiting their influence on his activities. His dismissal from the order was confirmed in June 2023. Despite these setbacks, his popularity among the faithful remained strong, with many sharing testimonies of healing attributed to his services on social media.

Fr. Prausa claimed that every Friday he experienced mystical visions and was visited by Jesus, prompting him to draw a following among those who sought healing. Posts on social media identified significant occurrences during his Masses, suggesting miraculous events, including reports of an Eucharistic miracle where the Body of Christ was said to have appeared visibly on the altar.

On February 5, 2025, Sylwia Lou called for prayers on Facebook for Fr. Prausa’s recovery, indicating that he had been seriously ill. It was reported that his condition deteriorated swiftly leading to his death a few weeks later. The community had prayed for his health, and many expressed sorrow over his passing on various social media platforms.

Following his ordination, Fr. Prausa engaged actively in the charismatic movement, advocating for prayer sessions aimed at healing and deliverance. His declarations about possessing stigmata and his vibrant charismatic spirituality prompted both admiration and skepticism. As someone described by some as a “modern Polish mystic,” his assertions of being able to cure ailments through prayer raised eyebrows within the church hierarchy, which did not recognize his purported miracles.

Fr. Prausa’s rigid stance against Communion on the hand aligned with traditional Catholic practices. He considered such methods a dilution of the sanctity surrounding the sacrament. His teachings and practice, especially regarding healing masses, sometimes fell into conflict with the church's established guidelines, which led to his condemnation by church authorities.

In his ministry, he often claimed that his visions granted him special insight and called for a return to what he considered a purer form of worship. Fr. Prausa suggested that through divine intercession, individuals facing various struggles—including illness and personal hardships—could find relief through prayer and sacrificial offerings.

Despite the controversies surrounding his ministry, many followers wholeheartedly believed in his gifts and experienced a profound sense of spirituality and healing during his sessions. The disagreements between him and church officials showcased a broader tension within the Catholic Church concerning modern expressions of faith countering traditional practices.

News of Fr. Prausa’s death resonated deeply within those who had been inspired by his services. Messages posted on social media reflected a mixture of grief and hope, with many calling upon God’s mercy for the rested soul of a priest who fervently believed in his mission.

In remembrance, posts appeared across Facebook, echoing sentiments from loyal followers who insisted that Fr. Prausa's work would continue to inspire their faith despite his departure. His legacy, though marred by disapproval from some within the church, left a distinct imprint on the lives of many who had sought his guidance.

As discussions surrounding his ministry evolve, advocates supporting the charismatic movement may rally around the narrative of Fr. Prausa’s life, insisting that his commitment to healing and spiritual revival represented a vital aspect of contemporary Catholicism.

Looking back at his journey, it is evident that Fr. Prausa's life was a tapestry of devotion, conviction, and controversy—elements that defined his role as a clergyman. Even after his suspension, his influence could not be easily extinguished, reflecting a complex dynamic between personal beliefs and institutional authority within the framework of modern faith.

Fr. Prausa's interment is likely to spark further conversations regarding the appropriation of spiritual authority, the nature of healing within the church, and how personal experiences shape communal beliefs in faith practices today.