Diocese of Des Moines Mourns Father Paul Monahan, Beloved Priest, Educator and Mentor to Generations

 Father Paul Monahan, a longtime priest of the Diocese of Des Moines, died Saturday, September 5, 2026, after a ministry that extended across more than six decades. His passing has prompted prayers from parishioners, former students, fellow clergy, and communities he served throughout Iowa. Over the course of his priesthood, he became known not only for pastoral leadership but also for his dedication to Catholic education, youth ministry, and the personal relationships he developed with generations of people.

Born and raised in the Portsmouth area, Father Monahan began his journey of faith at St. Mary Parish in Portsmouth. He studied at Loras College and Mount St. Bernard Seminary in Dubuque before pursuing postgraduate studies at Creighton University in Omaha. Bishop Edward Daly ordained him to the priesthood on June 5, 1960, beginning a ministry that would eventually span more than 66 years and connect him with countless families, students, parishioners, and fellow Catholics.

Education became a defining part of his early ministry. Father Monahan spent nearly two decades serving in Catholic schools, including Dowling Catholic High School and St. Albert High School. At St. Albert, he also served as principal, taking on a leadership role that placed him close to students, teachers, and families. He later recalled that his years with students provided some of his most cherished memories, and his continued relationships with former students reflected the lasting influence those years had on him.

In 1979, Father Monahan moved from Catholic education into parish ministry, serving at St. Mary in Avoca, St. Patrick in Walnut, Holy Family in Council Bluffs, St. Mary in Portsmouth, and Holy Rosary in Glenwood. Each assignment gave him another opportunity to accompany parish communities through worship, family milestones, spiritual guidance, and everyday pastoral life. Although he retired from active ministry in 2004, his connection with the people and Catholic communities he had served remained an important part of his legacy.

His commitment to young people extended beyond traditional parish and school responsibilities. Father Monahan was recognized as a founder of Teens Encounter Christ, commonly known as TEC, a ministry focused on helping young people deepen their faith and build meaningful spiritual connections. His work with youth became another lasting expression of his belief in education, mentorship, and community. Honors from organizations including the Knights of Columbus and recognition through the Freddie Falcon Award at St. Albert Catholic School further reflected the appreciation people had for his years of service.

Outside ministry, Father Monahan had interests that gave another dimension to his life. He enjoyed photography and traveled extensively, visiting destinations across Europe, South America, Hawaii, Alaska, and Medjugorje. These experiences complemented a life marked by curiosity, relationships, and an openness to the wider world. During the celebration of his 60th anniversary of ordination in 2020, he was asked whether he would choose the priesthood again. His answer was an unequivocal yes, offering a simple reflection of how deeply he valued the vocation to which he had devoted his life.

As the Diocese of Des Moines mourns Father Paul Monahan, his legacy reaches far beyond the years recorded in a church biography. He leaves memories among former students who learned from him, parishioners who received his pastoral care, young people influenced through TEC, colleagues who served beside him, and families who encountered him at important moments in their lives. The Diocese has asked the faithful to remember Father Monahan and his family in prayer as they commend him to the Lord. After more than 66 years of priestly ministry, his life stands as a lasting example of faith, education, mentorship, and service to others.