Father Carmen Buono is a 68-year-old grandfather who has just begun his new life as the oldest Catholic priest in America.

He explained to Growing Bolder why it took him so long to enter the priesthood and how the death of his wife of 33 years in 2000 affected his decision.

He also weighed in on the crisis that has given the church a black eye in recent years and what impact he thinks it has had on parishioners.