Remi De Roo

De Roo has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin philosophy from the Collège de Saint-Boniface (University of Manitoba). In 1952 he earned a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum in Rome with a dissertation entitled Regina in Coelum assumpta : les rapports entre l'assomption et la souveraineté de Marie (Queen assumed into Heaven : The relationship between the Assumption and the sovereignty of Mary). He also has several honorary degrees and is an Enneagram of Personality teacher.[3]

De Roo attended all four sessions of Vatican II. This experience deeply affected him and he still refers to himself as "a pilgrim of the Second Vatican Council".[4] He describes attending the sessions as "a voyage of discovery that would radically alter my whole outlook on reality" and "it was indeed a time of euphoria".[5] Since his retirement, De Roo has continued to travel and lecture about Vatican II and gave the keynote address, Rebuild my church – a Vatican Council Father Shares an Inspired Vision, at a Call to Action conference in 2008.[6]

De Roo was at the centre of a financial scandal that left his diocese nearly bankrupt. Over a 15-year period, he made a series of large investments in real estate and in a horse-breeding ranch, without adhering to canonical requirements for consent from the Vatican, consultation with diocesan clergy, or financial record-keeping. When the ventures failed, the diocese was left with a debt of over $17 million.[7] De Roo was not accused of fraud, but did not obtain Vatican approval for any of these transactions. Vatican approval is required for transactions over $3.5 million.[8][9] In May 2000, De Roo issued an apology to all Catholics in his former diocese which was printed in parish bulletins. In the apology he wrote that "I am truly sorry and beg your forgiveness."[7] The diocese sold off assets and issued bonds to clear the debt.[7]

During his tenure as diocesan bishop, De Roo was known as a strong proponent of social action and liberation theology and was a critic of capitalism. He was the main force behind the 1983 Canadian bishops' statement Ethical Reflections on the Economic Crisis. That document stated that the "goal of serving the human needs of all people in our society must take precedence over the maximization of profits and growth."[10]