OKC Archdiocese priest dies of COVID in India

An Arch diocese of Oklahoma City priest has died of COVID-19.

The Rev. Philip Louis, pastor of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Elk City and its mission Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Say re, died Monday. He was 53.

Diane Clay, the archdiocese's communication's director, said Louis was visiting family in India when he became ill with COVID-19. She said the priest died in a hospital in India. Louis was vacationing in Nellore, India, at the time he became sick.

Clay said Louis was the first priest in the archdiocese to die of COVID-19.

"Fr. Philip Louis was a wonderful priest who cared deeply about hi s parishioners at every church where he served. He found great peace and joy in serving the faithful and in his priesthood," Archbishop Paul S. C oakley said in a statement.

"Please keep him, his family, his brother priests and his parishioners in your prayers. May he rest in peace."

Louis was ordained to the Catholic priesthood in 1995 in Nellore, India.

According to the Enid News & Eagle, the priest previously served at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Enid. He also once served at St. Michael Catholic Church in Goltry.

The priest told the Enid news outlet that he once served briefly with St. Teresa of Calcutta, who is perhaps more widely known as Mother Teresa. The news outlet reported that Louis was in his 26th year as a priest and was serving in his 12th assignment at the ti me of his death.

Katie Bartlett, director of religious education at St. Matthew's in Elk City, spoke briefly about the religious leaders.

"He was a wonderfulprie st, dedicated to Mary," she said. "He will be missed."