Beaumont, Texas, Dec 21, 2021 / 16:19 pm
Six priests from the Diocese of Beaumont died this year, including three who were in active ministry at the time of their death. The diocese is hoping to increase the number of vocations as well as to bring in priests from other dioceses to help ease the strain on the clergy.
"With the loss of 6 priests, it's been very difficult. And they happened so close together, it's really kind of unbelievable and I haven't quite had time to process it," said Fr. Shane Baxter, Rector of Saint Anthony Cathedral Basilica, to Beaumont’s 12 News Now.
Fr. Delphyn Meeks, 80, was the first Beaumont priest to die in 2021. He died Feb. 11. In August, the diocese lost three priests: Msgr. William “Bill” Manger, 87; Msgr. Ken Grieg, 80; and Msgr. James Vanderholt, 88. Manger died on the 2nd, followed by Grieg on the 8th, and Vanderholt on the 11th.
Causes of death were not given for Meeks, Manger, Grieg, or Vanderholt, but obituaries did note that Manger, Grieg, and Vanderholt had recently began hospice care.