Bishop Malzaire hails work of the late Fr. Charles Vermuelen

Bishop Malzaire (right) performs final rites before Fr. Charles was laid to rest

Bishop of the Diocese of Roseau, His Lordship Gabriel Malzaire has hailed the work of Roman Catholic priest Fr. Charles Vermeulen C. Ss. R who died on December 4, 2016 at the age of 85.

Hundreds of mourners, including President of Dominica His Excellency Charles Savarin and his wife, priests from Dominica and overseas, religious brothers and sisters, deacons and Catholics from all over packed the island the Cathedral Chapel to bid farewell to him on Thursday afternoon.

In delivering his homily, Bishop Malzaire said that “there is a feeling in the air…a feeling of lost, a terminal feeling” at the death of Fr. Charles.

“We are gathered here to pay our last respects to a man of God, a priest, a pastor, a brother a friend,” he said.

Fr. Charles’ passing, he said, marked the end of an era, the end of the Belgium era in the diocese.

“You will recall the glory days when we had in this Diocese, Belgium missionaries in large numbers. In the Cathedral only we had up to 67 priests serving the pastoral area at the time. They played their part and played it well. Fr. Charles therefore represents the end of that era,” Bishop Malzaire stated.

He explained that the gospel reading used for the funeral (John chapter 12 versus 23-28) gives a positive insight as to what could otherwise be seen as morbid, and a real experience of loss.

“Fr. Charles can be likened to that single grain of wheat which falls into the ground and dies, yet, your knowledge of him would indicate that throughout his almost 60 years of ministry here in Dominica and other parts of the region, he allowed himself to be buried in works for the sake of the church and the sake of God’s kingdom. Such is the life of a missionary. Essentially, it is the journey of dying of life to bring life to others. No one can doubt that Fr. Charles did so in flying colors,” Bishop remarked.

Fr. Charles, he continued, was “a missionary and from all accounts a good one to0.”

Missionaries, Bishop Malzaire, said move on living behind them persons who have been given the message to preach.

“There are many things that we could learn from him…a church builder, he was builder of people, a pastor of souls, a builder of community, a generous man… he had a keen sense of diocese,” he noted.

According to him it is true to say that Fr. Charles was one priest who had a problem with retirement.

“No one would doubt his genuineness, he honestly loved people. He was energized by his ministry with and on behalf of God’s people,” Bishop Malzaire said.

Fr. Charles was laid to rest at the Roseau Roman Catholic cemetery on a reserved plot for the religious priests, brothers and sisters.

See photos from the funeral below. 

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8 Comments

  1. Believer
    December 17, 2016

    Very fine tribute by the Bishop and thanks for the photos DNO.

  2. sands
    December 17, 2016

    May his soul rest in peace.

  3. mine
    December 16, 2016

    RIP FR. Charles.

  4. Just Passing Through
    December 16, 2016

    Thanks DNO for these photos of the Funeral of Father Charles going to his final resting place.

    To Bishop Malzaire and all the priests and religious people, Dominicans especially the Roman Catholics, my sympathy. Father Charles will be missed by all who knew him. R.I.P Father Charles.

  5. The Truth Be Told
    December 16, 2016

    In memory of Fr. Charles who lived for the Lord.

    Prayer of Praise

    Lord Jesus, You are Light, You are Love, You are Power.
    It is from Your brightness that events take all their meaning, that trials are explained and that we see sufferings cancelled by redemption.
    It is in Your nearness that we find peace and security and it is under Your influence that all becomes radiant, is transformed and transfigured.
    You are the Way. You are the Truth, for You have the words of eternal life. You yourself are the Life.

  6. The Truth Be Told
    December 16, 2016

    You are infinite Love. Infinitely respectful of our liberty, which, in Your eyes, is the price of our response to Your love. You have loved us from the beginning and You love us unceasingly, regardless of our misery and even of our resistance.
    You are the source of true fraternal charity, which alone is capable of resolving the problems that crush the world.
    You are All Powerful. You vanquished the world and You are the Eternal Victor. It is You indeed Who will always have the last word in everything.
    You alone are holy. You alone are Lord. You alone are the Almighty!

  7. The Truth Be Told
    December 16, 2016

    I visualize how sad it was saying goodbye to Fr. Charles. Happy however that He served God to the best of his ability and died a happy death in the arms of Our Heavenly Father, His Blessed Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, His Blessed Mother, the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Dear Lady, with the angels and saints present. What a beautiful welcome into God’s Kingdom!
    We give God thanks and praise for the life of Fr. Charles who served most of his years in our beautiful island of Dominica, among fellow Dominicans. He was a Godsend to Dominica and wherever else he served in the Caribbean. It is obvious he loved our country and nationals to have lived here most of his life to the end..
    God bless your soul, Fr. Charles. Rest in God’s glory and peace! We know you will pray for us.
    You were saddened to leave us but you knew God has better plans for you in His Heavenly Kingdom where you will rest from your earthly works and praise Him forever. O Happy Day!

  8. Dominique
    December 16, 2016

    It was a truly solemn Catholic send off, was very beautiful and fitting for this great man, The hymns, preaching everything was beautiful, may you rest in peace Fr Charles.

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