Long time minister to the divorced and separated dies
Just weeks after celebrating his 85th birthday, Fr. Bill More, SCJ, a member of the Canadian Region, died on December 8.
Originally from the Netherlands, Fr. Bill came to Canada in the mid-1950s to teach at the SCJs’ minor seminary in Delaware, Ont. He prepared for the task by first earning a degree at the University of Ottawa.
He taught at the seminary until it closed its doors in 1969. Soon after, he began ministry with the Family Life Office in the Archdiocese of Ottawa. Much of his work was with those preparing for marriage, but after some time with the office he realized a need for ministry to the separated and divorced. He did coursework at Notre Dame University and became increasingly involved in the apostolate as it developed in North America.
In Ottawa, he and a co-worker, Marjorie Moore, held monthly sessions for those coming to terms with their separation or divorce. Fr. Bill also produced a monthly newsletter and several brochures to help people deal with the challenges of a broken marriage and understand the Church’s position regarding divorce.
“For those dealing with divorce Fr. Bill was a voice of a loving and merciful God,” said a member of his Ottawa community.
Fr. Bill was also very involved with the local Kiwanis Club.
In recent years Fr. Bill’s declining health forced him to move to nursing care but he continued to receive many visitors from his days with the Kiwanis and the archdiocese.
Fr. Bill made his first profession with the Priests of the Sacred Heart in 1949 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1955.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be December 12 at Resurrection of the Lord Church in Ottawa where Fr. Paul Tennyson is pastor.
