Vatican II Bishop De Roo passes

Bishop Remi De Roo, the former bishop of Victoria who was the world’s youngest bishop when he was appointed in 1962 at age 38 by Pope John XXIII, died Feb. 1. He was 97.

Bishop De Roo was the last surviving bishop who participated in all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council.

Known as a social justice advocate, he served for a period as chair of the Canadian bishops’ conference’s social justice committee and often spoke up for economic justice in public policy making.

His 37 years as bishop of Victoria were not without controversy, including his role in a complex land investment deal in Washington state for which his successor, Bishop Raymond Roussin, accused him of financial mismanagement. The diocese eventually raised $13 million to pay off the debt, and Bishop De Roo was vindicated of any criminal wrongdoing by a Washington court.

The bishop retired in 1999 at the age of 75.

Funeral arrangements are to follow.