August 26, 2011
Tulsa crash claims priest, seminarian, with Indiana connections
Jorge Gomez, a seminarian at the time, enjoys a birthday celebration with members of the Hispanic community in Dale. (Message photo courtesy Guadalupe Center) Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
Father Jorge Gomez, a Tulsa, Okla., priest who had been active in Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of Evansville during his seminary years at St. Meinrad, was killed in a traffic accident Aug. 21 in Tulsa.
Also killed was Stanley Kuriuki, a seminarian originally from Kenya who would have been starting his third year of theology studies next week at St. Meinrad School of Theology. Both men were 32.
“The hearts of all at St. Meinrad go out to the families of these wonderful young men,” said Benedictine Father Denis Robinson, president-rector of the School of Theology. “Their loss is a tragedy for the Diocese of Tulsa and the whole Church. Both of them will be sincerely missed.”
The priest and the seminarian were pronounced dead at the scene of the three-car accident in Tulsa, according to reports in the Tulsa World newspaper. The newspaper reported that their car was struck by a car driven by a woman who was frightened by gunshots in the area and was speeding through an intersection. The car of the priest and the seminarian was proceeding through a green light when it was struck and pushed into a third vehicle.
Father Gomez, who graduated in May, was ordained to the priesthood on July 1.
During his four years of theology studies, he was very active in the Spanish speaking ministry, volunteering with Benedictine Sister Karen Durliat in activities coordinated by the Guadalupe Center in Huntingburg.
“Jorge was very involved in the Hispanic community through-out his four years at St. Meinrad,” said Sister Karen, director of diocesan Ministry to the Spanish Speaking.
“He was always willing to offer his time and talent or to organize other seminarians when a group was needed for an activity,” Sister Karen said. “He enjoyed visiting families throughout the diocese and supporting them in their faith and in their transition to the US culture.”
The seminarian also assisted Father Gene Heerdink, the former director of the Guadalupe Center who continues in retirement to serve the Spanish-speaking community.
“During the past year [2010-2011], after being ordained a deacon, he often called Father Gene and offered to preach at Masses,” said Sister Karen. “He was known for his smile and his humor but also for his practical challenges to live the Catholic faith.”
As a transitional deacon, he also helped out at Nativity and at Good Shepherd churches in Evansville, where he was officially assigned to ministry this past year, Sister Karen said.