Fr. Reuter laid to rest

MANILA - Applause and standing ovation were part of the last goodbyes by people touched by Jesuit missionary Fr. James Reuter at his interment Saturday in Quezon City.

All those who attended the funeral mass at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Church of the Gesù and his burial at the Sacred Heart Novitiate Jesuit Cemetery in Novaliches gave him honor as they stood and clapped for almost a minute.

A fellow priest, Fr. Bienvenido Nebres SJ, former Ateneo president, described Reuter as a man always full of energy.

“Underlying his energy and drive was always faith. A faith that was at once very keen and simple in its unwavering assurance that God will always be there and would always take care,” he said.

Catholic prelates also expressed gratitude to the 96-year-old priest.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma acknowledged Reuter for being part of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Reuter served as executive secretary of the CBCP Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media (ECSCMM) for 39 years.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle thanked God for having known Reuter.

“We are thankful to God for having given him to us whose gentleness we’ve come to know and love,” said the head of the Archdiocese of Manila, who presided over the mass.

Reuter died on December 31 at the Our Lady of Peace Hospital in Paranaque City. (FP/Sunnex)