Catholics remember priest who served many years in Dominica

Fr. Paul Loncke spent the majority of his missionary life in Dominica
Fr. Paul Loncke spent the majority of his missionary life in Dominica

Last week Catholics gathered at the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in New Town to remember Fr. Paul E. Loncke C.Ss.R. who served many years in Dominica and who passed away on April 24, 2016, in Belgium.

Fr. Loncke was born in Roeselare, Belgium on 3 October 1933, to Andreas and Marcelina Loncke (ne Laye) and belonged to the religious missionary congregation known as the Redemptorists  .

He attended Eucharistic Heart Redemptorist College, and entered the Redemptorist novitiate at St. Truiden, in 1955.

One year later, on 5 September 1956, he made his first profession. He studied Philosophy at Bearplateau from 1956 – 58 and Theology at Louvain from 1958 – 62.

He was ordained to the priesthood on 26 December 1961.

In preparation for taking up his assignment in Dominica, Fr. Loncke spent seven months brushing up on the English language in Galway, Ireland.

He arrived in Dominica on June 15, 1963 by boat and spent most of his missionary life here in the Caribbean.

He served as assistant parish priest at the Roseau Cathedral Parish (1963-64 and 1974-79) and at St. Alphonsus, Goodwill (1964-72).

He served an acting parish priest in Nevis from (1968-69); and in St. Joseph in 1969.

Fr. Loncke served as parish priest at St. Theresa- Salisbury (1972-74), St. Ann’s Massacre ( 1980-85), St. Alphonsus- Goodwill (1985-94), St. Joseph (1995-2000), assistant parish priest at Our Lady of Fatima- Newtown (1999-).

Fr. Loncke was an avid photographer who documented his missionary life with his camera.

He shared his love for classical music with the many people he served.

He died at the Redemptorist health care center in Belgium on Sunday, 24 April.

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28 Comments

  1. Islander in Texas
    May 28, 2016

    Amen to Rev. Donald Hill’s comment and again I say Amen!!

    “Face the Facts” – the “Church of Christ” is a Spiritual Church built on one Foundation – Christ and Christ alone. HE is the only FOUNDATION we should build on. Too many people who profess to be Christians believe the Church of Christ is a physical building with a name on it – IT IS NOT.

    A true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should not spend valuable time putting down Christians and condemning them to hell fire because they are not of the same religious denomination – remember that God is the only true and righteous Judge – not man.

    A true believer in Christ should spend the time God has given him/her on this earth evangelizing souls for the Kingdom of Christ. Before He ascended to heaven, Jesus’ command to His disciples was to go and teach all nations (Matthew 28:19). This command applies to all true believers today – let us put it into practice.

  2. Faceup
    May 25, 2016

    RIP Father Long and that is the way I always spelt his name.. I remember him coming to Goodwill Junior High school in the late 60s to teach religious lessons..

  3. anonymous2
    May 24, 2016

    He saw a lot of history and changes in DA during the time he spent here.

  4. marie-claire
    May 24, 2016

    RIP

  5. Too Hard Too Long
    May 24, 2016

    Rest in peace Father Loncke.

  6. Jharris
    May 24, 2016

    R.i.p father lonke could remember the good old days with you and father francis at st.alphonsus truly indeed was a ggreat priest.. you will always be remembered.

  7. Amen
    May 24, 2016

    Rest in Peace Father Loncke. You serve the Lord well. May you be rewarded by His presence.

  8. Joey
    May 24, 2016

    Fr. Loncke was one of those individuals who took his ministry very seriously. Unfortunately, some local clerics tend to bask in honorary titles which are essentially meaningless. Some other good priests who laboured unselfishingly and without fanfare: Frs. Van den Berghe, Proesmans, Gelaude. Strykers. Huysmans, Rutten, Duerloo, to name a few,

    • Joey
      May 24, 2016

      My reference to local clerics ceratinly does not include Kelvin Cardinal Felix, an extremely humble man!

      • Face the Facts
        May 24, 2016

        You must not judge the priests. They have done you no wrong. God is not pleased with your comment above.
        As a US Priest stated on his program: “You want good priests? Pray for them!”
        Too many times people as you criticize them but never prayed for them.
        God will hold every one accountable for not doing that including not praying for their country and nationals.
        Do you ever pray for your parents and other members of your family? You are also to pray for politicians in general.
        You complain but this is all, only mere words and no prayers. We are called to do more for others, our country and the world in general.
        Imagine when you die and you stand before God for your judgment and most of all you did is to critique every one and everything. What will happen to your soul?
        When we die we must have have something godly to present to God so that we will obtain eternal salvation. Many do not give this a thought. Take note, practice it and inform others.

  9. Goodwill
    May 24, 2016

    RIP Fr Loncke. I remember Fr Loncke in the Goodwill St Alphonsus parish and then at Fatima Newtown. A simple , very spiritual and genuinely holy man..

    • Face the Facts
      May 24, 2016

      You can also tell by his picture that he was also a humble man.
      The Redemptorist Priests from Belgium were really nice Priests.
      The Redemptorist Priests took a vow of poverty. Whatever material goods they have belong to the Church.
      Their vow of poverty is based on Our Lord’s life of poverty just as celibacy.
      From my childhood to adulthood, I recall we attended Vespers and Benediction on Sunday nights, The Stations of The Cross during Lent, in the evening on Wednesdays and Fridays. I always attended them. Since a child my parents ensured that we attended. They also did.
      I can tell you Our Lord was pleased with these devotions to The Blessed Trinity and attendance of the faithful. We receive blessings when we go to Church and attend devotions.
      So much to state! They bring back holy memories of Dominica. :)
      God bless!

  10. May 24, 2016

    The Catholic Church has failed the nation at her time of need to the point that I am wondering if I want to be a Catholic. Unfortunately there is no option now as the protestant church is even worse

    • We must not put our faith in any priest, or so-called church for our salvation.

      It is the lord Jesus Christ alone who can forgive our sins and give us the GIFT of eternal life.

      The Lord Jesus said “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

      The Apostle Peter said “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

      Salvation is a free gift. It cannot be bought with money nor earned by good works. One must believe that Christ – and Christ alone – by HIS sufferings, and shed blood, and death paid the price in full for our salvation, and receive HIM as his or her Savior.

      “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

      • Continuation:

        “For when we were yet without strength Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

        Now you must trust Him by believing that what He did on the cross saves you for time and eternity. This is what it means to receive Him as your personal Savior.

        “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; And he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:11,12)

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

      • Face the Facts
        May 24, 2016

        Our Lord Jesus Christ established His Church when He said: “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build My Church. . . He was not referring to the thousands of churches that have been opened in the world since John Calvin, Martin Luther, Henry VIII and others down through the ages.
        It baffles me that people who profess to be Christians lack enlightenment to know that they cannot enter Heaven as a Protestant or the other thousands who claim to be Christians. These are division-causing and disunity. How can anyone enter Heaven with that on their soul? In addition, being enemies of the Catholic Church?
        St. Paul said, “Nothing defiled will enter Heaven.”
        Those who hate tarnish their soul. They forfeit Heaven. It is a grievous/mortal sin to hate people and their religious beliefs. It is lack of love and a mark of disrespect to God Himself.
        As a saint said: “As many heads there are it is as many opinion there will be.” Indeed! Yours is one of them.

      • Face the Facts
        May 24, 2016

        God established His Church, The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
        He consecrated His Priests:
        Hebrews 7:17 – Priest Forever – The Lord has sworn and He will not repent, you are a priest forever according to the order of Melcizedek.
        You can quote all you want from your bible. You can do nothing about what God has ordained for the world until the end of time. He gave the mandate to the Catholic Church.
        No other church, no person is superior to the Catholic Church. None are at par and can compare their church to It.
        What God did not approve of and bless is redundant to him. As the late US Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen said on his Radio Program of those days which is still being aired on EWTN – TV and EWTN Global Catholic Radio: “. . . No power. No strength.”
        A former communist, a convert to the Catholic Faith wrote the book: “The Catholic Church Has The Answers.”
        Much more could be stated on Catholic matters.
        I love my Catholic Church and am proud of It.

      • Faceup
        May 25, 2016

        Yes you are one of those that think your church is the best FAKE A*# Protestant

    • Face the Facts
      May 24, 2016

      No one should heed your ungodly comments except to respond to them, hoping to make you godly-wise.
      What have you done for anyone, for the Church? God knows you are the one who has failed and you have failed the Church. The pot calling the kettle black.
      If that is all you do is to go to church, it is not enough.
      A saint said: “Going to church does not make one holy.” You have to practice it outside the church.
      If you kept godly busy you would not make such comments.
      You lack Catholic teachings. That is the problem. Many go to church and after they leave the church they forget about it. While they are in church, their mind is elsewhere. How can you grow and progress in spirituality? This is why some of you know nothing about your Church and its history. When false indoctrinators approach you and influence you to join their church, you are eager to do so. Whose fault is that?
      There is a lot to know about the Catholic Church. Commence doing that.

  11. Face the Facts
    May 23, 2016

    Remembering the dedicated Bishops/Priests. Very nice ones too. I could name a few of them.
    They also had a great love for The Mother of God, as they taught us.
    Some of their teachings: They taught the Catholic Faith with fervor. I recall how much I learned as a child when I commenced taking Catechism prior to making my First Holy Communion at the age of seven and prior to my Confirmation at the age of thirteen (and thereafter); for some it was fourteen years.
    We Catholics were well-taught about our faith. As we grew older our duty was to cultivate it and learn more about it.
    This is one of it: I never enter the Catholic Church without blessing myself with the Holy Water and making the Sign of The Cross and genuflect prior to entering the pew and when leaving it, a mark of reverence to God, in His Consecrated House.
    I have noted how some Catholics in Toronto make the Sign of the Cross quickly and not with reverence. Some are from various countries.

  12. Face the Facts
    May 23, 2016

    Some do not genuflect prior to entering the pew. I feel these were not well taught.
    Not bragging, no one can make a better Sign of the Cross with reverence than I :) (probably other D/can Catholics) – On the forehead, chest, left shoulder and right shoulder, saying, be it quietly, In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen! This is a sign of reverence to God – The Blessed Trinity and of our baptism.
    It bothers me when I see them make the Sign of The Cross quickly. They hardly touch their forehead, chest, left shoulder and right shoulder. I am tempted to correct them; just as some dress immodestly to Church. It is noticeable when they are not wearing coats. – Shame. Could state more about that.

  13. Pass alter server Fatima church newtown
    May 23, 2016

    RIP father Loncke remember the days as an alter server love working with you .
    , I remember one Saturday night when it wasn’t my turn to serve I came to assist you. You was such a kind hearted man continue to RIP .

    • Face the Facts
      May 24, 2016

      He will be praying also for Dominica and the parishioners he served in Dominica, as yourself.
      We still have to pray for his soul. If he is Heaven, he will not need prayers. It is stated that God will give the prayers to other souls who are in need of them, those in Purgatory. Some have no one to pray for them. Furthermore, you will be the recipient of your prayers.
      Happy to know you are fervent in the Faith and you were not swayed by false prophets to renounce your Catholic Faith. Sadly, some have done that. If they do not return to It, when they die, they will regret it. We must pray for them that God will graft them back to The One True Fold. After having stated that, a good feeling came over me. I hope, it is The Holy Spirit. :)
      God wants us to propagate the Faith. Actually Saint Pope John Paul II said, “The reason we have the Church is to evangelize.” Words to that effect.
      God bless you and your family!

  14. Face the Facts
    May 23, 2016

    There is a book entitled, “To The Priests, Our Lady’s Beloved Sons” by Father Gobbi of Italy who received interior locutions from Our Lady. I have read it. There is also a book with devotions.
    I attended a few meetings of the Marian Movement of Priests in Toronto based on Our Lady’s messages to Fr. Gobbi. This holy Priest visited Toronto. I also attended the prayerful gathering. What blessing and graces abound! :)
    Wherever these holy priests are at these prayerful gatherings, Our Lord and Our Lady are present, blessing the gathering. We do not see them but their holy spirits are present.
    We usually commence with praying the Holy Rosary which is Our Lord’s Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection.
    He gave it to Our Lady for the entire world. Read Secret Of The Rosary by St. Louis de Montfort. There are other books, too many to mention.
    Followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass which is a must. I love to attend them.

  15. Face the Facts
    May 23, 2016

    Father Loncke, a dedicated Priest, you have done well in serving Our Lord Jesus Christ, His flock, in His Vineyard. You have gone to your eternal reward, promised by Our Lord who also said, “Those who gave up houses and lands, (earthly goods)” to follow Him will receive their reward two-fold.. God bless your soul!
    Eternal rest grant unto Father Loncke, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen!
    May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen!

  16. Mike
    May 23, 2016

    I remember Fr. Loncke. He was a tall man and I think he drove a Volkswagen in the 1980s.

  17. Danziger
    May 23, 2016

    RIP my brother may the good Lord strengthen yr family in times of need.

  18. Cyrique
    May 23, 2016

    RIP Fr. God bless you x

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