Malacañang mourns passing of Fr. James B.
Reuter, S.J.
Malacañang joined the nation in mourning the
passing of Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J., whose love for the Philippines and
Filipinos has been described as “legendary,” after succumbing to a lingering
illness on Monday, December 31, at the age of 96.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin
Lacierda cited Reuter who first arrived in the Philippines as a young Jesuit
novice before World War II and throughout his priestly vocation in the country,
became “friend, mentor, confessor, adviser to generations of Filipinos.”
“From the time he first came to this country
before World War II as a young Jesuit novice, to his passing after a lingering
illness today, Fr. James B. Reuter found happiness and fulfillment in his
priestly vocation in the Philippines. His impact was most deeply felt in the
sphere of communications, whether in the promotion of the Family Rosary
Crusade, or the formation of JESCOM in the Philippines. Along the way he was
friend, mentor, confessor, adviser to generations of Filipinos, both in public
and private life, and in the media, arts, and journalism,” Lacierda said.
“His love of the Philippines and Filipinos was
legendary; so much so it earned him a stature and affection beyond the measure
of the many awards, both national and sectoral, that he received throughout his
long life. We join the Society of Jesus in the Philippines, the generations of
alumni of the Ateneo de Manila University, and men and women of media, arts,
and letters, who mourn the loss of this man of faith, good cheer, and
eloquence,” he added.
According to former Ateneo de Manila University
president Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J., the wake for Fr. Reuter will be held at
the Church of the Gesu at the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon
City. The interment plans, however, will be finalized after the holidays,
Nebres said. PND (rck/co)
