Father Arturo Cabra was born on November 9, 1969, in the small town of Sachica, Colombia. The third of five children born to Antonio Cabra and Amelia Amado, Father Arturo grew up just a block away from his local parish. His early years as an altar server, combined with the deep devotion of his parents and maternal grandmother, laid a strong foundation for his lifelong faith.

During high school, the arrival of a new parish priest served as a powerful inspiration, leading Father Arturo to enter the seminary immediately after graduation. After six years of study, he accepted an invitation from the Bishop of El Paso, Texas, to continue his formation in the United States. It was during his time in Texas that he recognized the growing need for Hispanic priests in North Carolina.

Responding to an invitation from Bishop Gossman, he relocated to the Diocese of Raleigh and was ordained on June 27, 1998, at St. Michael in Cary. This ordination marked a historic milestone, as he became the first Hispanic priest ordained for the Diocese.

Since then, Father Arturo has served the faithful across North Carolina, including assignments at St. Eugene in Wendell, St. Mark’s in Wilmington, and a 12-year tenure as Pastor at Mother of Mercy in Washington. Following nine years at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, in Kinston, he accepted Bishop Zarama’s invitation to lead St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in April 2022. With faith and joy, he has served as our Pastor since June 28, 2022.