Priest Assignments/Father Ariel Durian

Friday, Aug. 01, 2025

Father Ariel Durian was born in Manila, the Philippines. He joined the Missionaries of St. Charles-Scalabrinians in 1995 after he was encouraged by a missionary priest to consider the priesthood.

“That priest told me a vocation is like a plant: God gave you the plant, and God gave you the responsibility to water it, to cultivate, to nourish the gift God gave you,” he said.  

Fr. Durian completed his philosophical studies at Christ the King Seminary in 1997. After postulancy and novitiate programs, he took advanced studies at Maryhill School of Theology. He holds degrees in philosophy and theology and a Master of Arts in pastoral ministry. 

He was ordained a priest in 2005 by the Most Rev. Gabriel Reyes for the Congregation of Scalabrini. After ordination he served as assistant priest of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Calif. for six years, then another six years as pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Kansas City, Miss. 

He came to the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 2018 and was assigned as parochial vicar of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City and Saint Lawrence Mission in Heber. He then was appointed administrator of Saint Peter Parish in American Fork. After being incardinated into the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 2023, he became pastor of St. Peter’s. 

He has learned a tremendous amount about the faith during his years in Utah, he said.

“The richness of the ministry here in Utah is very diverse, even though Catholics are a minority,” he said. “Catholics are actively involved in the life of the Church, especially here in the state of Utah. And the experience I had while I was serving at Saint Mary’s and Saint Lawrence as well as Saint Peter in American Fork taught me a lot about how especially to deal with the needs of the people, especially those that are coming from different Latin American countries.” 

Fr. Durian has been appointed pastor of Saint James the Greater Parish in Vernal effective Aug. 1.

“I’m looking forward to working with the people at Saint James Catholic Church and to be able to walk with them, to allow them to shine, especially in their respective ministries and involvement here at Saint James Catholic Church,” he said.

Fr. Durian tends to be a homebody, but since being assigned in the diocese he has begun to discover the beauty of Utah, he said.

“I do go out every now and then to visit different places and enjoy nature’s best,” he said. “As I transfer to my new assignment in Vernal, I am looking forward to discovering the many things that it will offer me.”