Monsignor John Cihak was raised in a large family on the outskirts of Corvallis, Oregon. He has a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and earned a Licentiate in Fundamental Theology and Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.

He is the author of Balthasar and Anxiety (T&T Clark, 2009), co-author of The Catholic Guide to Depression (Sophia Institute, 2012), the editor of Charles Borromeo: Selected Orations, Homilies and Other Writings (Bloomsbury, 2017), and several articles in theology and catechesis.

He has served in several parishes throughout the Archdiocese and has held teaching positions at Mount Angel Seminary and the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was also a theological consultant for the Spirit of Truth K-8 catechetical curriculum (Sophia Institute Press), which we use in our parish school.

Prior to his arrival to Christ the King Parish in July 2018, he served at the Vatican as an official of the Congregation for Bishops and as a Papal Master of Ceremonies for Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. He travelled with Pope Benedict XVI on his papal visit to Loreto, Italy and with Pope Francis on his papal visits to Korea, Sri Lanka, the United States, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

From 2018-2024 he served as the Archdiocesan Director of Continuing Education of Clergy. In addition to his duties at Christ the King he currently is the Vicar Forane of the South Portland Suburban Vicariate and a member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors. Since May 2025 he also serves as the national chaplain for the Institute of Catholic Liberal Education and as a member of their Board of Directors.

Watch his interview with the Catholic Sentinel on his return to Oregon