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DETROIT — People whose lives Fr. John West touched in his many capacities told of their love and respect for the longtime Michigan Catholic columnist, who died April 14 at age 52.

Fr. West

As pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington Hills, theologian, archdiocesan ecumenical and interfaith adviser, and seminary professor, “Fr. West touched every single aspect of Church life in the Archdiocese of Detroit through his many assignments,” said Msgr. John Zenz, moderator of the Curia for the archdiocese.

“He was a consummate teacher who bore witness to what he preached in the way that he lived – with charity, humility and generosity. He was always available, ready and willing to tackle any challenge. He represented the Church in a very humble, but effective manner in the world of interfaith dialogue. He will be greatly, greatly missed,” Msgr. Zenz added.

Cardinal Adam Maida, in Rome preparing for the conclave to choose a new pope, expressed deep sadness at the news, and offered his April 15 morning Mass for Fr. West, his parish community, family and friends.

Besides teaching at SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary, Orchard Lake, and serving as staff theologian for the archdiocesan Education and Communications departments, Fr. West recently became known to a wider audience as a media spokesman for the archdiocese, especially in his role as expert commentator on the events surrounding the death of Pope John Paul II for WDIV-TV (Channel 4).

“John West was always gracious and generous to us in the Communications Department. For every one media interview he did at our behest, he was involved with a dozen or more projects ‘behind the scenes’— advising us on theological issues, facilitating ‘back channel’ dialogues, proofreading our printed materials. We’ve lost a tremendous resource and a great friend,” said Ned McGrath, director of communications for the archdiocese.

Fr. West also served as spiritual adviser for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and Catholic ethicist for Angela Hospice, Livonia, and Lourdes Nursing Home and its related institutions in Waterford Township.

Auxiliary Bishop Walter Hurley, Fr. West’s predecessor as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows, expressed his sadness at Fr. West’s “unexpected passing.”

“He was an extremely talented and gifted man who utilized his many abilities within the community of Church, the ecumenical community, and the civic community. His death is a great loss for all of us and we are grateful for his years of generous service, as we commend him to the Lord,” Bishop Hurley said.

Auxiliary Bishop John Quinn called Fr. West “a great preacher, a natural teacher and a dedicated priest.”

“Over the years, he was a leader in catechetics and in adult formation. I always admired his ability to communicate the meaning of the Scriptures and Catholic teachings in ways that helped people to live their Catholic faith more fully. I will miss him as a friend and a collaborator,” Bishop Quinn said.

Fr. David Buersmeyer, who was in seminary with Fr. West, said his long-time friend was “just brilliant.” It was not just that he was able to absorb knowledge, but that he could also present complex concepts in such a way ordinary people could understand them.

“He was a very gifted preacher and teacher,” said Fr. Buersmeyer, pastor of SS. John & Paul Parish in northern Macomb County’s Washington Township, the community in which Fr.West grew up.

He said Fr. West always had a ready sense of humor, and always remained grounded in the down-to-earth qualities of Washington Township farming families.

Fr. John Wynnycky, who was a student of Fr. West’s at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, called him “a good teacher and model to me in terms of priesthood and being a disciple of Christ.”

Characterizing Fr. West as a person of deep spirituality, Fr. Wynnycky added, “He not only taught the Gospel, he lived it.”

Michigan Catholic Managing Editor Marylynn G. Hewitt recalled a time when she and Fr. West “were talking once about ways we try to remind ourselves we’re supposed to be of service.”

“He shared this beautiful story: Early in his priesthood he needed more pockets under his vestments, so he wore a simple cloth tool belt. Over the years, he decided to switch to a restaurant-style apron, not because of the pockets, but because it was a good reminder that what he was about to do was to be of service,” she recounted.

“What struck me about that example was that it is something no one would ever see, but through him they’d know the fruits of the heart of a servant and be drawn closer to Jesus,” Hewitt added.

Fr. West’s many responsibilities kept him busy, said Yvonne Bush, a secretary at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. “He was like the Energizer Bunny. I’d say, ‘It’s Friday, aren’t you going to take your day off?’ And he’d say, ‘No, got to keep going,’” she recalled.

His work in ecumenical and interfaith relations drew praise from those with whom he worked. “Fr. West served as a devoted and tireless advocate for greater interaction between the Catholic and Jewish communities in metropolitan Detroit, and he worked to ensure that any differences between us were transformed into learning experiences that furthered our relationship,” said David Gad Harf, executive director of the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit.

“Both personally and professionally, Fr. West had a great impact on me, and I will miss his positive attitude, devotion to interfaith work, and friendship,” he added.

Rabbi Daniel S. Nevins, of Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, called Fr. West “a gem of a human being, a leader of leaders and a dear friend.”

He told how he and Fr. West had worked closely on a trip to Italy and Israel that is leaving in two weeks: “I anticipated exploring the Vatican with Fr. West, and I will think of him and pray for his precious soul when we visit that place which he knew and loved so well.”

Imam Sayed Hassan Qazwini, of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, said, “I have lost a very dear friend and the interfaith community has lost a hero, a champion of interfaith dialogue.”

Born June 12, 1952, in Mount Clemens to Edmund G. and Maxine (DeGrandchamp) West, the young John Henry West grew up attending St. Clement of Rome Church in Romeo, then the nearest parish to his parents’ Washington Township home.

He attended Sacred Heart Seminary high school and college in Detroit, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy; the University of Detroit, from which he earned a master’s in religious studies; and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth Township, where he earned a master of divinity. Fr. West was ordained May 31, 1980, in the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament by Cardinal John Dearden.

He went on to earn a licentiate in moral theology from the Accademia Alfonsiana and the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome; a doctorate in moral theology from the Accademia Alfonsiana; and was working toward a doctorate in preaching from the Aquinas Institute of Theology of St. Louis University at the time of his death. During his 25 years of priestly ministry, Fr. West served as parochial vicar (associate pastor) of Divine Child Parish, Dearborn (1980-81), and St. Edmund Parish, Warren (1981-84); and administrator of St. Anne Parish, Monroe (1984), and Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission, Port Huron (1984-86).

He was pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Monroe, and director of the Monroe County Hispanic Ministry (1992-93); after which he served as administrator of St. Fabian Parish, Farmington Hills (1995-96), and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Detroit (1999); in addition to a weekend assignment at St. Andrew Kim (Korean) Parish (1998-2001). Fr. West was pastor of St. Rita Parish, Holly (2001-03), before becoming pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington Hills, in 2003.

He is survived by his parents, Edmund and Maxine; a brother, Paul; four sisters, Mary West, Jane Martin, Anne Grimm and Judith Naber; six nieces and nephews; and two great nieces and great nephews.

Bishop Hurley celebrated the funeral Mass for Fr. West on Tuesday, April 19, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Farmington. Burial was in St. Paul Cemetery, Grosse Pointe Farms.