David S. Baronti (1947-2023)

David Scott Baronti passed away on June 8, 2023, in California. He was buried in Antigua Ixtahuacán, Guatemala on July 9, 2023, in the chapel beside the church. Many people gathered from the surrounding communities to pray and thank David for his service to the church and community. David was 76. 

David was born on January 23, 1947, in Oregon. After theological studies at the Catholic University of Louvain, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Spokane on August 15, 1976, by Bishop Bernard Topel. He ministered to the people of Santa Catarina Ixtahuacán for over 45 years. He became a notable linguist in the local Quiché language, translating various books of Scripture, as well as the Holy Mass into the dialect. He was a beloved shepherd who generously served the people of God until his retirement in 2017. 

In 2019, David requested the assistance of Bishop Daly to communicate to the Holy See his desire to be dispensed from his priestly vows. Pope Francis granted David a dispensation. He was laicized and civilly married.   

David is survived by his wife, Erika; daughter, Elisa; extended family and friends who loved him dearly. Please join all those who knew and loved David, by praying for his family and the people of Ixtahuacán. 

Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Diocese of Spokane may be emailed to inlandcatholic@dioceseofspokane.org. Inland Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.