Obituary: Fr Peter Steen SSC

Fr Peter Steen
1925 - 2009

Fr Peter Steen died in the Dalgan Nursing Home, on 11th May 2009.

Born on 4th December 1925 in Navan, Co. Meath, he was educated in De La Salle Brothers, Navan, St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan and University College, Dublin.

He came to Dalgan in 1946 and was ordained priest on 21 December 1952.

After ordination he was assigned to the Philippines.

All his parish work was on the island of Mindanao which in the early years included Oroquieta, Plaridel, Gingoog, and Dumalinao- both urban and rural places. He served for a period as Chancelllor of Ozamis Prelature and pro-Director of the Mindanao District.

In the 60’s he served in St Michael’s Parish in Iligan City where Peter was held in very high esteem by all parishioners. After that he served two terms as Director of the Philippine Region. In 1983 he returned to Mindanao to the parish of Maranding and again to Iligan City in Corpus Christi parish. From 1989 he he served as Chaplain to Far East University Hospital and Manila Drs Hospital.

Wherever he served, Peter loved being with people. He had a special gift for working with men who quickly identified with his openness, his humour, his fairness and his down-to-earth practical common sense. He was always kind and considerate. His delightful puckish sense of humour enabled him to zone in on characteristics of his fellow-Columbans and others that less acute observers often missed. He had an inquiring mind, delighted in provoking discussions, and, while never taking himself too seriously, asked as many deep probing questions as Socrates. As a result, he was always excellent company and a visit to any of his parishes was never dull. He will be sorely missed by his many friends in the Philippines and in Ireland.

May he rest in peace.