tvc.dsj.org | August 20, 2019
COMMUNITY
11
Bishop Christian Dies; Recalled As ‘Wonderful’ Bishop, ‘Spiritual Guide’
OAKLAND (CNS) -- San Francisco
Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Christian,
rector-president of Saint Patrick Semi-
nary and University in Menlo Park,
died in his sleep July 11. He was 70.
He was ordained a bishop June 5,
2018, and was appointed to lead the
seminary in January.
“Please join me and remember in
your prayers the repose of the soul of
the Most Rev. Robert Christian. ... May
he rest in peace!” Oakland Bishop Mi-
chael C. Barber wrote in an email the
afternoon of July 11.
A native of San Francisco, Bishop
Christian was a Dominican priest and
belonged to the order’s Western prov-
ince, the Province of the Most Holy
Name of Jesus, which has its headquar-
ters in Oakland.
“I was deeply saddened to learn
this morning of the passing of Bishop
Christian,” San Francisco Archbishop
Salvatore J. Cordileone said. “The
archdiocese was greatly blessed to
have his wisdom and leadership even
if for so brief a time as auxiliary bishop
and even briefer time as rector of the
seminary.”
“We join with the Dominican com-
munity in praying for the repose of
his soul and for peace and comfort for
his wonderful family in their time of
mourning,” he added.
Jesuit Father John Piderit, who is
Moderator of the Curia and Vicar
for Administration of the San Fran-
cisco Archdiocese, said in announcing
Bishop Christian’s death July 11 that
he “was discovered this morning in
his bed at Saint Patrick Seminary; he
probably died during the night.”
“This is a great loss for the Domini-
cans, the seminary, the archdiocese
and for all who count Bishop Chris-
tian as a special friend. I request your
prayers for Bishop Christian, that he
be accepted with love and rejoicing in
heaven,” Father Piderit said. “He was
a wonderful priest, bishop, teacher,
administrator and spiritual guide.”
Robert Francis Christian was born
in San Francisco Dec. 2, 1948, attended
Saint Brendan and Saint Vincent de
Paul grammar schools and Saint Igna-
tius High School.
In 1970, after graduating from Jesuit-
run Santa Clara University, he entered
the Dominican order at Saint Albert
Priory in Oakland and made his sol-
emn profession as a Dominican in 1974.
He was ordained a priest in Oakland
June 4, 1976.
In 1977, he started his teaching
career at Dominican College in San
Rafael. He received a Master of Divinity
degree from the Dominican School of
Philosophy and Theology in Oakland
in 1977. He went to Rome in 1979 for
studies at the Pontifical University of
Saint Thomas Aquinas, known as the
Angelicum, where he earned a Licenti-
ate of Sacred Theology followed by a
Doctorate in Sacred Theology.
Upon completion of his doctorate,
he ministered at the Newman centers
at the University of California in River-
side and the University of Washington
Auxiliary Bishop Robert F. Christian of San
Francisco is pictured in this undated photo.
He died in his sleep July 11 at his residence
at Saint Patrick Seminary and University in
Menlo Park, Calif., where he was rector-
president. He was 70. (CNS photo/Arch-
diocese of San Francisco)
in Seattle.
In 1985, he was assigned to the fac-
ulty at the Angelicum. Except for the
years 1997-1999, when he was Vicar
Provincial of the Dominicans’ West-
ern province, Bishop Christian taught
theology, ministered to the Dominican
community in Rome, held administra-
tive offices at the Angelicum, and of-
fered occasional assistance to various
Vatican bureaus, until 2014.
Prior to becoming bishop he was the
student master at Saint Albert Priory
in Oakland.
Other appointments include “peri-
tus,” or expert, at the 1990 Synod of
Bishops on priestly formation, prior of
the 75-member resident community
of friars at the Angelicum, member of
the Anglican-Roman Catholic Inter-
national Commission, and since 2013,
consultor to the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity.
Bishop Christian chose as his epis-
copal motto “Sanctificetur nomen
tuum” (“Hallowed be thy name”).
“It lets people know that I’ll con-
tinue to preach the name of Jesus, who
teaches me to be grateful for all that I
have, including a good family, many
friends, an education, my Dominican
life, and travels all over the world,” he
said. “God is the giver of all good gifts
and has given me the opportunity to be
something of a gift to others.”
The Dominicans’ Western province
said in a statement: “Bishop Christian
has tirelessly served the church and
faithful for nearly 50 years. We are
deeply saddened to hear of his death
and entrust his soul to the loving arms
of our heavenly Father. We ask for your
prayers for the repose of his soul, as
well as for his grieving family, friends
and Dominican brothers around the
world.”
Saint Albert’s Priory in Oakland of-
fered an evening requiem Mass for the
repose of his soul July 11.
Statement from
Bishop Oscar Cantú
The Diocese of San José is shocked
and saddened to learn of the sudden
passing of the Most Rev. Robert Chris-
tian, OP. We ask the Lord for the repose
of his soul and send our prayers to
the faithful in the Archdiocese of San
Francisco at this difficult time. May he
rest in peace.
Catholic Cemeteries… As a Community We Grieve, Let God Heal
By Laura Schemmel, Outreach
“I have heard your prayer and seen your
tears. I will heal you.”
-2 Kings 20:5
It was Sunday night, the end of a
warm summer day. Activities were
winding down after a weekend of
festivities. The band was playing its
last set. The vendors were pausing for
a moment to breathe before packing
everything up. The children were smil-
ing and laughing as adults relished in
the moment of escape. On Monday,
there was a makeshift memorial for
the Gilroy Garlic Festival, #Gilroy
STRONG. Lives were forever altered
after a gunman opened fire. There
were 16 people shot, including 3 young
people who died, and thousands of
lives throughout the community were
joined by a tragedy.
This tragedy has touched the hearts
of us all in the Bay Area and beyond.
Senseless harm invoked by one indi-
vidual will deeply change the lives of
so many for years to come. This com-
munity of people, different races and
religions, bands together through the
same value on human life. It is at the
core of our humanity that we show
compassion and offer hope. The first
responders, along with many indi-
viduals’ quick response in the face of
danger, saved the lives of many others.
As Christians, we strive to rely on
our faith that God will heal us. Faith
is a gift from God. (Romans12:3) God
changes us, molds us, strengthens us,
and builds us through hardship. And
there is nothing like the experience of
being comforted by God alone in that
dark hour. God chose to walk among
us and share healing love. God also
places people to walk with us on our
path. We post our thanks and prayers
on Facebook. We read the details in the
newspaper or hear it on the television.
We share with our friends, family and
co-workers. We give financially. We
attempt to grieve as one.
Catholic Cemeteries walks with the
community in this time of tragedy. We
ask to receive God’s grace and spirit of
peace that surpasses all understanding.
There are many grief support groups
available that can be places of comfort
and understanding we do not walk
alone on this journey and that journey
is different for each one of us. For more
information, call (650) 549-6056 .
Parish Bereavement Ministers’
Training FALL 2019 - Bridging the
Gap with Hispanic Communities*
Six Thursday evenings: September 19,
26, October 3, 10, 17, 24; 7-9 p.m.
One make-up session on November 7.
Queen of Apostles – Geary Hall,
4911 Mo or pa rk. Ave., Sa n Jos é.
Facilitator: Candee Lucas, Kathy Fanger
– Outreach Team. Cost: $100. per person
(fee returned upon completion of all six
sessions (or make up session). This in-
depth training and enrichment series is
for parish staff, clergy and volunteers.
Two or more individuals from your
parish are encouraged to attend. RSVP
by September 14, call (650) 428-3730
or email [email protected]. *Course
materials provided in English and Spanish.
SOLACE – Soul + Grief
Monthly Drop-in Grief Support Group
August 28, 7-9 p.m. (4th Wednesday
of each month) at O’Connor Hospital
Chapel, 2105 Forest Ave., San José.
Facilitator: Candee Lucas, M.A. Pastoral
Ministries. No RSVP necessary. Free.
Sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries and
O’Connor Hospital.