Father Frans Deroo (1937-2021)
Born in Torhout (Belgium) on January 1, 1937.
Ordained Priest on October 6, 2013.
He was a missionary in Taiwan and Belgium.
Died in Torhout (Belgium) on July 7, 2021, at the age of 84.
Frans obtained his education and formation in his family, at the high school in Torhout, at the Novitiate of Scheut in Zuun, in Kessel-lo, and Leuven. Then, in September 1963, he embarked on a mission to Taiwan.
After studying Mandarin for two years, Frans was assigned to be in charge of catechesis and counseling at Hua Ming Center in Taipei. After two years, he also supervised CICM’s primary and secondary schools. He received his master’s degree in Counseling and Education in Detroit, Michigan, USA, from 1968 to 1970.
He returned to Taiwan and combined his study of Taiwanese (the native people’s language) with parish work in Taichung. Then, from 1973 to 1984, he came back to the north, first as a pastor at St. Therese parish in Taipei and later as a pastor in Jinshan.
In Jinshan, he set up a small counseling center, combining his first work at the counseling center in Taipei. He also served in the Provincial Council for one term. As a result of his many responsibilities, he was obliged to make weekly vehicle travels of 50–60 kilometers between Jinshan and Taipei on roads that were not yet in good condition. Unfortunately, Frans was involved in a serious vehicular accident in 1984. That was just the start of a long ordeal. Doctors in Taiwan did their best, but he needed to return to Belgium to consult several specialists.
He returned to Taiwan for work in 1985, though crippled, thanks to that treatment he received. He was a pastor at Saint Mary’s parish in Taichung for eight years before returning to Belgium in 1993 for a spinal procedure. He departed once more for Taiwan, and he served as pastor at Holy Rosary parish in Taipei for four years. He left for Belgium ill as the parish work became more complex, but he returned to Taiwan in 1999 to become a rector at the Provincial House and District Treasurer. He was well known among the confreres for his hospitality.
In 2006, he returned permanently, initially to his parents’ home in Torhout, where his sister Agnes cared for him excellently. As it became too heavy for her, in June 2011, Frans moved into the CICM House in Torhout
It is hard to imagine what Frans went through. It is difficult to express how the confreres, staff, and volunteers have supported him through this ordeal. His family had no choice except to embrace his helplessness. Frans died peacefully on July 7th, early in the morning.
By Werner Lesage