Fr. Mark Clarke, CMF was born and raised in Orange, California.  He felt the call to be a priest in the eighth grade.

Before entering the seminary, Fr. Mark received certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and was a paramedic trainee for the Los Angeles City Fire Department.  He then attended Chapman University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Minor in Biology. He did graduate work at California State University, Los Angeles and worked as an analytical chemist in the pharmaceutical industry in Irvine for five years.

In 1994, he joined the Claretian Missionaries and studied at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas. During his years of formation with the Claretian Missionaries, he was involved with youth ministry, especially at several Catholic high schools, and worked with the marriage preparation program for the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

During his pastoral year in California, he was a chaplain for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department ministering at a county jail facility in Lynwood and also facilitated the respect-life program at a parish in Long Beach. Fr. Mark graduated from the Oblate School of Theology with a Master of Arts in Theology and a Master of Divinity in May of 2002.

Fr. Mark’s Masters Thesis focused on the U.S. bishops' treatment of the abortion issue during the past century. In addition to reviewing the bishops' documents addressing respect life issues beginning in 1919, he examined all the bishops statements published from 1990-2000 relating to abortion in the context of family, health care, justice and peace, and respect for life. A particular focus was given to the bishops' treatment of abortion in relation to euthanasia and capital punishment. His Master of Divinity project addressed theological and canonical aspects of marriage.

Fr. Mark was ordained a priest in January of 2003. He served as associate pastor of San Gabriel Mission, where he conducted various pro-life outreaches and assisted with the Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats in Los Angeles. In July of 2005 he was given permission to work as a full-time associate of Priests for Life for one year.

More About Priests for Life History and Staff

Priests for Life
PO Box 141172
Staten Island, NY 10314
Tel. 888-PFL-3448, (718) 980-4400
Fax 718-980-6515
Email mail@priestsforlife.org

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