| April 6, 1948 – August 29, 2026 |
The Comboni Missionaries mourn the death of Fr. Michael “Mike” Barton, mccj, who died Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the age of 78.
A native of Indianapolis, Fr. Mike was ordained to the priesthood on December 14, 1975, at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Catholic Church, his home parish. He celebrated 50 years of priesthood in December 2025.
Fr. Mike devoted much of his missionary life to the people of Sudan and South Sudan. He first arrived in southern Sudan in 1978 and served there for decades through years of war, displacement, and tremendous hardship. His ministry took him to communities including Kworijik/Luri, Mapourdit, Nyamlell, Ayod, and Mogok.
Education was particularly important to Fr. Mike. In addition to his pastoral ministry, he helped establish and support schools, build classrooms, serve remote communities, and create opportunities for children whose lives had been disrupted by poverty and war.
Fr. Mike eventually returned to the United States and lived with the Comboni community in Cincinnati.
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Catholic Church, 4720 E. 13th St., Indianapolis, IN 46201. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m., with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Fr. Mike requested that memorial contributions be made to the Comboni Missionaries for their work in South Sudan.
Please join us in praying for Fr. Mike, his family, his Comboni confreres, and all those whose lives were touched by his many years of missionary service. May he rest in peace.
