Fr. Gommar Depauw; founder Catholic Traditionalist Movement
Hyfler/Rosner
May 7, 2005 Saturday
Late Edition - Final
HEADLINE: Paid Notice: Deaths
DEPAUW, FR. GOMMAR
DePAUW -- Fr. Gommar, Founder-President of the Catholic
Traditionalist Movement and US Citizen, was born October 11,
1918 in Stekene, Belgium to a distinguished family which
included early American settlers. At the outbreak of WWII he
fought as a combat medic and was taken prisoner at the
battle of Dunkirk. After escaping from prison camp he
returned to the seminary to complete his studies by special
indult of the Holy See. He was ordained a priest in 1942 and
served as a battle-field chaplain until the end of the war.
After post-graduate studies at the University of Louvain, he
earned a Bachelors in Canon Law and the triple major
licentiate in Canon Law, Moral Theology and Church history.
In 1949, Father DePauw came to the US and while serving as a
parish priest in New York City, he prepared for his doctoral
dissertation at The Catholic University of America where he
was promoted to Doctor in Canon Law. In 1952 he accepted the
Chair of Moral Theology in Canon Law at Mt. St. Mary's
Seminary in Maryland which he held for 13 years. Between
1962 and 1965 Father DePauw participated in the Second
Vatican Council as a personal expert and procurator. During
this time he publicly launched the Catholic Traditionalist
Movement in 1965. The Holy See placed him under the
jurisdiction of the Bishop of Tivoli Rome so he could
continue his leadership of the Catholic Traditionalist
Movement. Father De Pauw has contributed to several
well-known publications as well as publishing his own.
Most notable among them his 'Quote Unquote' and ''Peace
through Strength.'' In 1968 he established the Ave Maria
Chapel in Westbury, New York which became the first and only
publicly functioning Traditionalist Catholic parish in the
world. Besides being an influential voice in Church affairs,
Father De Pauw was also influential in addressing issues
facing the nation, culminating in meetings with President
Reagan. Father DePauw was recognized by numerous
international organizations for his leadership roles most
notable among them Community Leaders of America and Who's
Who in the World. Father passed to his well earned eternal
reward on Friday May 6, 2005. Reposing Donohue Cecere
Funeral Home, 290 Post Ave, Westbury on Saturday & Sunday
from 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Funeral Service Monday 10AM at the Ave
Maria Chapel, 210 Maple Avenue, Westbury, LI. Interment
Pinelawn Memorial Park, Pinelawn, LI.
Brad Ferguson
<rel...@rcn.com> wrote:
> In 1968 he established the Ave Maria
> Chapel in Westbury, New York which became the first and only
> publicly functioning Traditionalist Catholic parish in the
> world. Besides being an influential voice in Church affairs
Well, I guess he almost had to be, didn't he?
Louis Epstein
: The New York Times
His organization's website:
http://www.latinmass-ctm.org/
A biography written last year by an admirer:
http://www.dailycatholic.org/issue/04May/may24ttt.htm
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