Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Monday 25 November |
Saint of the Day: St. Catherine of Alexandria
Aleteia logo

James Comey’s Catholic roots

Comey-FBI-Portrait

Deacon Greg Kandra - published on 05/10/17

From his Wikipedia page, an often-overlooked detail of the former FBI director’s life:

Comey and his wife Patrice Failor are the parents of five children. He is of Irish descent and was raised in a Roman Catholic household. Comey subsequently joined the United Methodist Church, and has taught Sunday school in the past.

A profile in a New Jersey paper several years ago noted:

Allendale Mayor Vince Barra said the Comeys were heavily engaged in the civic duties and were active at Guardian Angel Roman Catholic Church. J. Brien Comey, James’ father, now in his early 80s, still lives in the same home the family moved into in the early 1970s, even though all four of his children live elsewhere. A retired real estate executive, J. Brien Comey was an Allendale councilman in the mid- and late-1980s. His wife, Joan, who died last year after a long illness, was involved in the Girl Scouts and many other local organizations, Barra said. “They were involved in everything from Scouts to the church to … you name it,” Barra said. “They were a huge part of Allendale. The parents had a strong sense of integrity, they were hardworking, and they believed in public service. That’s where James got it from. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Photo: Wikipedia

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

2025-Aleteia-Pilgrimage-300×250-1.png
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More