Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus Remi J. De Roo turned 90 on February 24. In typical leadership fashion he pre-empted the usual birthday celebration for someone of his vintage by steering friends, associates and supporters toward a special bible publication project that has caught his eye and enthusiasm. In this the age of Francis in the Catholic Church and beyond, the new pope’s style and content vindicates much of De Roo’s social justice orientation and life’s work as the Bishop of Victoria for nearly forty years (1962-99). (See "Groundswell Support Letter Surfaces to Pope Francis Regarding De Roo" under the "OTHER NEWS" tab.)

   Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus Remi J. De Roo turned 90 on February 24. In typical leadership fashion he pre-empted the usual birthday celebration for someone of his vintage by steering friends, associates and supporters toward a special bible publication project that has caught his eye and enthusiasm. In this the age of Francis in the Catholic Church and beyond, the new pope’s style and content vindicates much of De Roo’s social justice orientation and life’s work as the Bishop of Victoria for nearly forty years (1962-99). (See "Groundswell Support Letter Surfaces to Pope Francis Regarding De Roo" under the "OTHER NEWS" tab.)
     Born in 1924, the second child in a large Belgian Catholic farm family at Swan Lake in the southeastern section of Manitoba, De Roo was appointed at the young age of 38 by Pope John XXIII as an exemplar of the new spirit of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). At the time of their first meeting, the jolly pastoral pope joked that while De Roo was 38, he himself hoped to make it to the age of 83.
     It did not happen. Angelo Roncalli died before his 83rd birthday, leaving the full development and implementation of the massive reforms of the council to younger ones like De Roo and the Canadian Bishops, who were among the most thorough-going of all the conferences of Catholic Bishops worldwide in their dedication to the pastoral changes and internal reform of the Catholic Church.
     Now that the first pope fully formed by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council has been elected, Bishop De Roo is cautiously wary of what he calls ‘the general euphoria’ surrounding the first year’s revelations of the new leader. At the annual general meeting of the Vancouver Island Basic Christian communities association in Parksville last August, he was intensely queried by the membership when he served as key note speaker for the event.
     True to his principles and that of the Council itself, he cautioned not to slip into the attitude that the pope can do it all, that the solution rests with the Vatican in any real sense. The basic communities are required to accept their own level of responsibility he responded at the meeting where the relief at the change at the top was palpable and tangible in the general discussion.
 In announcing his birthday project, in a letter to friends and associates, Bishop De Roo wrote: “On February 24 this year, I will celebrate my 90th birthday. I am grateful to God for my health and the full life that I have been privileged to live. Several friends have already asked me, ‘What you would like for your birthday?’
     I invariably say, ‘a new Bible’ … but not just any Bible! And thereby hangs a tale, as the expression goes.
     To welcome in the new millennium, Saint John’s Abbey and University operated by the Benedictine monks of Collegeville, MN, USA commissioned a new illuminated Bible, something that had not been done for 500 years. They selected a highly respected calligrapher, Donald Jackson, to produce a hand­written illuminated Bible. They designated a team of Scripture scholars, artists, naturalists and theologians to plan and to execute the development of what eventually became The Saint John’s Bible. It is an extraordinary work of art and spirituality, comparable to the Book of Kells which attracts so many tourists to Ireland.
     The complete English text of the New Revised Standard Version, measuring over twenty-four by eighteen inches and replete with some magnificent illuminations in glorious colours, is now on display at the library of Saint John’s University in Minnesota. Should you happen to be in the vicinity, I urge you to take the time to visit this extraordinary set of books, truly unique and a priceless treasure of art.
 You can also find more info on this new The Saint John’s Bible at www.saintjohnsbible.org. or Google it on YouTube .
     I had the privilege of viewing this outstanding piece of art and spirituality. At the same time I learned that a limited edition of full sized copies of this work is available for sale. I determined to obtain a copy to share with the people of Vancouver Island and the Islands and have committed myself to this task.
     Back to my birthday….. Instead of my receiving a gift, I invite you to join me in giving the gift of this Bible to the people on the West Coast. The cost of this magnificent production is obviously substantial. Each volume is priced at US $20,000, for a total of $140,000, for the complete set of seven.
     I am convinced that with the help of my friends we can together acquire this literary, artistic and spiritual gem. In fact, the first volume is already covered by initial donations from friends. We hope to reach US $40,000 in time for Mr. Jim Triggs’ arrival with the first two volumes. 
     The Bible will later be entrusted to the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society (CSRS) for widespread use, and through it to the University of Victoria, as a complement to the already existing ‘Archbishop Seghers Library.’
      The intention is to have the Bible or sections of it available to faith communities including ecumenical and interfaith ones, galleries, organizations, museums and universities so that the entire community might enjoy this gift.
     If you wish to participate in this project financially or spiritually by praying for its success, please provide me with your exact mailing address as well as your email address. The names of all donors, large or small, will be recorded in a special blue book, as a perpetual memorial to your generosity. This record will also help us keep you informed through an occasional progress report.
     Should you require a receipt for income tax purposes, (anything over $25), make out your donation to ‘University of Victoria’, and in the ‘MEMO’ section of the cheque, please designate ‘Saint John’s Bible’ to ensure these funds are allocated appropriately.
     Donors who want a USA dollars tax receipt are requested to direct their donation to the U.S. FOUNDATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA, in the ‘MEMO’ section of the cheque, please designate ‘Saint John’s Bible’ to ensure these funds are allocated appropriately. Kindly address your letter to me. I will be happy to transmit all donations to their proper destination.
     John’s Gospel, Chapter 1, verse 14, reads, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we saw God’s glory….”
     My dream is that these words contemplated in the presence of The Saint John’s Bible in our midst might enhance that joy.”
Signed:
+ Remi J. De Roo, retired Bishop of Victoria
P.O. Box 37032, 3200 Island Hwy N.,
Nanaimo, B.C., Canada, V9T  1W0