Facing death, US priest turns his farewell into precious moment
Father Kottar, who has Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, tells seminarians their future is bright
Updated: May 06, 2021 05:50 AM GMT
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Father Michael Kottar, a priest from the Diocese of Charlotte. (Photo: Facebook)
As dusk fell on April 29, nurses pushed Father Michael Kottar in his wheelchair just outside a North Carolina rehabilitation center where 27 young men studying to become priests stood preparing to say goodbye.
At 53, Father Kottar, a priest from the Diocese of Charlotte, has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, an extremely rare and aggressive brain disease for which there is no effective treatment or cure. The next day, the priest of 27 years boarded a medical flight to Ohio to be with his family and get the end-of-life care he needs.
Facing death, priest turns his farewell into teachable moment
May 6, 2021 catholic news service
Father Michael Kottar, a priest from the Diocese of Charlotte, N.C., gives a 2015 World Meeting of Families homily for pilgrims in Philadelphia from his diocese. Kottar was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in 2021, an extremely rare and aggressive brain disease for which there is no effective treatment or cure. (Credit: Patricia L. Guilfoyle/Catholic News Herald via CNS.)
As dusk fell April 29, nurses pushed Father Michael Kottar in his wheelchair just outside a North Carolina rehabilitation center where 27 young men studying to become priests stood preparing to say goodbye.
Shelby, N.C. priest with rare, brain-destroying disease offers words of encouragement to future leaders Father Kottar, 53, offered words of encouragement to 27 young men studying to become priests a day before boarding a medical flight to Ohio, where he will be with his family and get the end-of-life care he needs. (Source: Diocese of Charlotte) By WBTV Web Staff | May 4, 2021 at 4:58 PM EDT - Updated May 4 at 5:35 PM
SHELBY, N.C. (WBTV) - A Catholic priest in Shelby, North Carolina who has been diagnosed with an extremely rare, degenerative brain disease is encouraging the future leaders of the church to “keep the faith”.
Church: Shelby, N.C. priest diagnosed with rare, brain-destroying disease The church is asking for prayers of comfort and peace for the priest and his family at this difficult time. (Source: St. Mary Help of Christians Parish) By WBTV Web Staff | May 3, 2021 at 5:25 PM EDT - Updated May 3 at 5:25 PM
SHELBY, N.C. (WBTV) - A Catholic priest in Shelby, North Carolina has been diagnosed with an extremely rare, degenerative brain disease and has had to leave to Ohio to get the proper care.
St. Mary Help of Christians Parish posted on its Facebook page Sunday morning that Father Michael Kottar has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease, an extremely rare and aggressive disease caused by a protein abnormality, and that destroys the brain’s nerve cells.