Fr John Van Deerlin, an American priest who served the Catholic Church in Qatar from 1989 to 2002, passed away on Wednesday in Santiago, California, US, according to information reaching Doha. He was 58.
Much loved and respected by the faithful, Fr Van Deerlin, was currently serving as clergy at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Dubai. Under treatment for gall bladder cancer, he had undergone a surgery in March in the US.
A fluent speaker of Arabic, Fr Van Deerlin helmed the Catholic Church in Qatar when services were held at American School of Doha and at the temporary premises at Farij Bin Omran.
Fr Van Deerlin, who celebrated the silver jubilee of his priestly ordination in 2009 in Dubai, was the Vicariate of Arabia’s expert on Islam.
He is credited with a key role in paving the way for the establishment of the Church Complex in Mesaimeer.
The priest was also known for the welfare initiatives he undertook for the low-income workers and fishermen.