Skateboarding Priest Becomes Internet Sensation (VIDEO)

In an effort to encourage more local youngsters to attend church, Hungarian priest Zoltan Lendavi is forgoing the sanctuary -- in favor of a skateboard.

In this recently released video, which has become a hit on YouTube, the 45-year-old Father Lendavi showcases his slick moves in full clerical garb to a crowd of enthusiastic teens outside of his church in Redics, Hungary.

Though his skateboarding sermons may seem wacky to some, Lendavi says he was inspired by the legacy of Saint John Bosco, a 19th century Italian priest who used games to educate children on Christianity. "There are many ways skateboarding can help bring people closer to God," he told The Telegraph, which also reported that three teen boys have since begun attending mass regularly after encountering the priest on his skateboard.

Watch video of Father Lendavi on his skateboard:

Comments

[CPAwADD]

05:46 PM on 08/23/2010

I would be more impressed if he would varial kick flip and then 50-50 a hand rail.

[sistaelle]

05:40 PM on 08/23/2010

Padre- U Rock!

[Retrofuturistic]

02:43 PM on 08/23/2010

Parents: Be very, very, very afraid if your children report being entertained or amused by any religious entity.

[ThinkCreeps]

06:23 PM on 08/22/2010

I'm sure it's very useful for breaking the ice with young parishioners.

[edrice222]

12:49 PM on 08/22/2010

Charming.
Too bad he's trying to lure the younger generation to the church.
The only way for the church to survive is to keep it's #'s up.
The church cannot continue without it's followers.
Fortunately today's youth is so much better informed and less motivated by fear, guilt and dogma.
Enjoy the show, kids, but don't buy what he's selling.

[lunarsnare]

08:01 AM on 08/22/2010

This is funny,
Though I am not religious in any way, but you got to admire the positive spirit of the man under the robe.
You go father, totally rad.

[LorettaSingbiel]

05:28 PM on 08/23/2010

It reminds me of the movie "Sister Act". Fun watching Woopie Goldberg shake things up a bit. Loved the music so much, we bought the soundtrack.

I applaud this priest.

[IfIonlyknew]

11:25 PM on 08/21/2010

Be a sk8ter,not a ha8er.

[fromdnorth]

10:44 PM on 08/21/2010

Actually my experience with Catholic priests had been positive while growing up...

[LorettaSingbiel]

05:33 PM on 08/23/2010

What I didn't know didn't hurt me either. But seriously ... what were they thinking? ... that their crimes could be covered up indefinitely?

[fromdnorth]

06:35 PM on 08/23/2010

The issue was this priest doing what he can to attract the youth...
It should be encouraged...

[Dogma]

01:46 PM on 08/21/2010

He's a natural!... (Comedian that is).

[Ted Bouklos]

12:14 PM on 08/21/2010

Insert Catholic priest and young boys joke here.

[BillyClub]

11:44 AM on 08/21/2010

It is so welcomed to see a priest in this day and age having good, clean fun! May the Force be with Him!. Amen. - Father BillyCub

[Weirdwriter]

01:10 AM on 08/21/2010

A little-known fact is that bowling as we know it today was developed in those long monastery halls.

A brochure from the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame states that Martin Luther, an avid bowler, "once preached a sermon which, if put into bowling vernacular, proclaimed we all strive for perfection in life. But if we roll a gutterball, all is not lost."

[alexa07]

10:45 PM on 08/21/2010

Wow. Interesting. thanks

[Claudia Babic]

11:28 PM on 08/20/2010

I love it! That's a creative way to attract a young crowd. I hope the message he is transmitting to these kids is a good as his skating, and not old fashion Catholic dogma. Keep on skating padre.

[rf dude]

10:37 AM on 08/20/2010

Father, when you can skateboard on all 4's I'll be impressed.

Skateboarding Bulldog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziDeUbifKIM&feature=related

[american-dolt]

10:05 AM on 08/20/2010

The Garb looks so ridiculous in the day and age.

[ROBINB72]

11:25 PM on 08/20/2010

I think the Priest it looks real cool, remember NEO in The Matrix Reloaded? or the dudes in the Brotherhood of the Wolf? I hope he gets to learn a few darefull tricks without getting injured...

[afgail]

02:46 AM on 08/21/2010

One can rightfully question the relevance of ANY religion that imposes such garb on their religious leaders. Complete disconnect with secular society. Forcing men to wear dresses is mind bending and gender bending.

[SmokingJoe]

06:33 PM on 08/21/2010

religion is a complete disconnect with secularism. There is still plenty of room for religion in a secular society as long as the religion doesn't run the society or operate under its sanction. Besides your just jealous.