August 6, 2026 The Diocese of Boise announces that the Holy Father has granted a dispensation from the obligations deriving from Sacred Ordination to former Reverend Robert Mendez Esquivel. In accordance with the rescript issued through the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, he has been returned to the lay state and is no longer a cleric (priest) of the Catholic Church. This decision was communicated to Mr. Mendez Esquivel on August 6, 2026. Following his guilty plea an

August 5, 2026 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The heartbreaking tragedy in Twin Falls has touched every corner of our diocese. Our hearts ache for those who have lost loved ones, for those who have been injured, and for the families, friends, first responders, and all whose lives have been forever changed by these events. At moments like these, words often seem inadequate. Yet as people of faith, we know that we are never alone in our sorrow. The Lord is close to the br

July 30, 2026 Dear Catholic Faithful of Idaho, In November of this year, a ballot initiative known as Prop 1 will come before the voters of Idaho. If passed, this initiative will entirely dismantle Idaho’s current protections for unborn children and weaken important safeguards for women, minors and parents. This ballot initiative presents a serious moral and cultural challenge for our commu

July 24, 2026 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Grace and peace to you in our Lord Jesus Christ. The recent declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) has prompted many questions among the faithful of our Diocese. Accompanying this issue of the Idaho Catholic Register is an article prepared by our diocesan canonist that explains the Church's decision and its practical implications (article below). Rather than re

April 29, 2026 Today, in the Canyon County District Court before Judge Vandervelde, Robert Mendez Esquivel was sentenced following his earlier guilty plea to one count of Sexual Battery of a Minor (age 16 or 17). The Court imposed a sentence of: 3 years fixed followed by 12 years indeterminate, for a total unified sentence of 15 years under Idaho law. The fixed portion represents the time to be served before he is eligible for parole. He will also be required to register as a

My dear Catechumens and Candidates in Christ, Grace and peace to you in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is with great joy and paternal affection that I write to you as you celebrate the Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Call to Continuing Conversion of Candidates. In this sacred moment, the Church publicly recognizes the work that God has begun in you and affirms your desire to walk more fully in the light of Christ. This recognition is not merely ceremonial. It is a sign tha

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I want to inform you that Fr. Roberto “Toto” Mendez Esquivel has entered a guilty plea to one felony count of Sexual Battery of a Minor (ages 16/17) at today’s hearing. Sentencing is set for April 1, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Vandervelde. Sincerely, Marco Roman, Ph.D Director of Communications Diocese of Boise

Press Statement – On October 31, 2025, Fr. Robert Mendez Esquivel appeared before Canyon County District Court for his arraignment. He entered a plea of “not guilty.” A pre-trial conference is scheduled for December 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. During the hearing, Fr. Esquivel’s attorneys requested a reduction in bond. The presiding judge granted the request, lowering the bond from $300,000 to $250,000. The trial remains set to begin on January 5, 2026. The diocese continues to ask

Press Statement – On October 23, 2025, Fr. Robert Mendez Esquivel appeared for his preliminary hearing at the Canyon County Courthouse. Fr. Esquivel elected to waive the preliminary hearing, thereby forgoing the presentation of evidence and testimony by the state for a judicial determination of probable cause. This procedural step allows the case to proceed without delay. As a result of the waiver, Fr. Esquivel’s next court appearance is scheduled for a District Court Arrai

Press Statement – September 25th, 2025 The preliminary hearing for Fr. Robert Mendez Esquivel, originally scheduled for September 25,...

September 16, 2025 Since issuing the statement of support for the religious Workforce Protection Act, I have taken concrete steps to...

Press Statement – September 11th, 2025 The preliminary hearing for Fr. Robert Mendez Esquivel, originally scheduled for September 11,...

Inquiry of KTVB on September 3, 2025 and response The Diocese of Boise recently received a series of questions from Morgan Romero, a...

Official Statement from Bishop Peter Christensen September 2, 2025 The Diocese of Boise provides this update regarding the recent arrest...

Editor’s note: The following comes from an Aug. 29 video statement made by Bishop Peter F. Christensen regarding the arrest of a Nampa...

A statement from Bishop Peter F. Christensen August 28, 2025 My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Fr. Robert Mendez Esquivel (Fr....

A statement from Bishop Peter F. Christensen August 27, 2025 My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ, With a heavy and sorrowful heart,...

A statement from Bishop Peter F. Christensen August 27, 2025 My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is with a heart heavy with...

A statement from Bishop Peter F. Christensen The Holy Spirit has once again blessed the Catholic Church with a new pontiff, American...

Our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, died today, April 21, in Rome, after a prolonged battle with double pneumonia. The Vatican...