Bishop Remi de Roo
Since my retirement in 1999 at the age of 75, it has been my privilege to meet many people, to rejoice with them in joy and hope as the Vatican II document on the Church in the Modern World suggests. It has also been my blessing to be present to the dreams and struggles of those who await the dawn of a new day as mentioned in Luke 1:78.
My pilgrimage these last few years has been one of lecturing, mainly on Vatican II, of ministering, of giving retreats and of contemplating the signs of the times in the light of Sacred Scripture and our rich Tradition. My work has led me from Florida to Manitoba, from England to California.
As a Vatican II Council Father having participated in all four sessions from 1962-65, I continue to proclaim its message whenever and wherever possible.
The book “BIBLICAL CHARACTERS AND THE ENNEAGRAM: Images of Transformation,” co-authored with Diane Tolomeo and Pearl Gervais (published by Newport Bay Publishing, Victoria, Canada 2002) is one attempt to put into practice some of the renewed orientations proposed by the Second Vatican Council.
Pro-gay Baum, dissident De Roo to speak Friday at Ontario Catholic college
BY PATRICK B. CRAINE
Thu Jan 20, 2011 14:39 EST
In 1999, reports Catholic World News, he was ordered by the Vatican to cancel a speaking engagement at a conference for the International Federation of Married Catholic Priests.
An announcement for the upcoming event describes the Second Vatican Council as a “‘bringing up to date’ of the church,” which “gave life to the church’s new teachings on ecumenism, human rights, and the work of the church in the modern world.”
Noting that the Council has “often met opposition”, it says the two speakers will “reflect on the legacy and the unfinished agenda of the Second Vatican Council.”
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De Roo and diocese do some fence-mending
Until everyone comes clean, said Hartnell, real reconciliation is unlikely. “The church has not been honest and transparent.” In particular, Hartnell complained that De Roo has done no more than write a single, short and less-than- complete apology for his role.
The deal was pitched to Clemenger and the bishop in 1997 by Washington lawyer and businessman Joe Finley: borrow U.S. $5.5 million, secured against the assets of the diocese; buy 160 acres of rural Washington State land; make the payments till the land could be resold for something nearer its assessed value of US $15 million; and split the profits.
De Roo, who had already lost the diocese $1 million on an earlier investment with Finley, was encouraged to see this as a way to make that up before he retired. But De Roo retired before the land could be resold.
His successor, Raymond Roussin, stopped the payments on the loan when he took office – and following the counsel of his advisors, extricated the diocese from its partnership with Finley, who had invested none of his own cash.
Years of legal wrangling ensued; the debt on the land grew to $13 million, which was paid through the sale of debentures to members of the diocese. But the diocese also had to sell $15 million in assets at fire-sale prices, netting only $7.5 million.
Eventually, the land was sold – and the diocese’s finances secured.
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CHURCH LEADER BACKS O'CONNOR
March 27, 1998
Douglas Todd - Sun Religion Reporter
One of Canada's senior Catholic leaders says he's never been convinced that Bishop Hubert O'Connor has ever been guilty of a crime. Victoria Bishop Remi De Roo, well-known for his outspoken views on social and economic justice, said he has stood by O'Connor ever since the former principal was charged with sex crimes against six students in 1991.
O'Connor has never expressed remorse to native people -- even though he has admitted he broke his celibacy vow and had sex with two native students when he was principal of a residential school near Williams Lake in the 1960s.
"I personally cannot see how what he had done was, strictly speaking, a criminal offence," De Roo said Thursday.
His response is in contrast to Vancouver Archbishop Adam Exner, who two years ago accepted the court's conviction of O'Connor and formally apologized for O'Connor's actions.
De Roo, calling O'Connor by his nickname, "Hub," said O'Connor has "admitted his weakness from the moral point of view. But going from there to wanting to lay a sentence on him, I think, is a mistake."
The B.C. Court of Appeal on Tuesday overturned two 1996 sex convictions against O'Connor. The three judges acquitted him of one count of indecent assault of a teenage girl and ordered a new trial (which would be O'Connor's third) on one count of rape.
Although De Roo said he's not an expert on the legal machinations of O'Connor's case, he believes that the appeal court's decision shows that O'Connor has not yet had a fair trial and must be considered innocent until proven guilty.
O'Connor, who admitted to fathering a baby with one of the former students, is believed to be the highest Catholic official in the world ever convicted of a sex crime. His case has drawn international negative attention to the Catholic church and has been a focal point for natives claiming residential schools were a form of cultural genocide.
De Roo says O'Connor is a broken man emotionally, physically and financially -- "although he seems more at peace now than he was initially when the full impact [of the charges] hit him."
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Remi De Roo
Independent Religious Institutions Professional
British Columbia, Canada Religious Institutions
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Roman Catholic Womenpriests: A Mass for Mother Earth and Her Children
Embrace our World! Herald a New Pentecost!
Bishop Remi De Roo, 84, is a pilgrim of Vatican II. He keeps preaching it because it must not be forgotten! Named a bishop in 1962, right after Vatican II began, he participated in all four sessions, the youngest bishop present, became its articulate apostle, and spent 37 years in Victoria, B.C, trying to embody the Vatican II vision of church. Since retirement, his mission is to share that message with others, especially young people. De Roo for years chaired social justice for the Canadian bishops. Bold statements were issued on behalf of victims of injustice, even women. Today he speaks for the ordination of women. He also knows the power struggle over ministry. Vatican II said the basic sacraments for ministry are baptism/confirmation, not holy orders. But the restorationists led by John Paul II have been trying to roll back Vatican II. De Roo trusts the Spirit and keeps fighting clericalism. He says, “Vatican II ideas — religious liberty, conscience, justice — are more relevant than ever. We need to reclaim that freedom. There is no scriptural basis for a monarchical episcopacy.”
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Catholics gather for annual Call To Action pilgrimage
Nov. 07, 2008
By Thomas C. Fox
Young adults gathered for pizza and an intimate conversation with a special guest, retired Bishop Remi de Roo of the diocese of Victoria, Canada. The bishop is one of the few living Vatican Council Fathers to have participated in all four sessions. He spends much of his time lecturing and talking to people about the vision of Vatican II. In this setting, many of the young adults in attendance were able to hear about how de Roo was installed just in time to participate in Vatican II, and how much this experience fit in with the way he wished to minister with people. Many of the young adults were able to ask him challenging questions about the church’s position on the role of women in the church, as well as the treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. He expressed how excited he was to see the future of the church in the young who were gathered.
Finally, de Roo addressed the assembly about the how the spirit of Vatican II lives on strong at a conference such as Call To Action. He pointed out that the 50th anniversary of Pope John XXIII’s call for the Council will be Jan. 25, 2009. He said over the last 50 years many have fallen asleep to the spirit of the council, but there are pockets that still deeply remember the impact it had in inspiring efforts to return to the original sources of the church, as well as in updating the church. He assured the audience that the principles of Vatican II still apply today, such as how Lumen Gentium, a council document, tells us that the laity have the duty to speak up on concerns about the common good of the church.
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VIDEO: Bishop Remi de Roo presiding in a certainly illicit and probably invalid "Mass" with Call To Action
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Roman Catholic Womenpriests Celebrate Eucharist at
CALL TO ACTION 30th Anniversary Conference
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
CALL TO ACTION 30th Anniversary Conference
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Link to a 9:46 minute video on Google Videos
"Highlights from Roman Catholic Womenpriests' liturgy at Call to Action"
this video downloads on either Windows or Mac
"Highlights from Roman Catholic Womenpriests' liturgy at Call to Action"
this video downloads on either Windows or Mac
Link to a 3:55 minute video on Google Videos
"Roman Catholic Womenpriests Celebrate Eucharist at Call to Action"
this video downloads on either Windows or Mac
"Roman Catholic Womenpriests Celebrate Eucharist at Call to Action"
this video downloads on either Windows or Mac
Link to a 3:44 minute video on Google Videos
"A New Inclusive Model of Priestly Ministry"
this video downloads on either Windows or Mac
"A New Inclusive Model of Priestly Ministry"
this video downloads on either Windows or Mac
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