A Great Man of God Has Left Us
UPDATE: Father Charles C. Fiore
March 10, 2003
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
Father Charles Fiore, heroic defender of the Catholic Faith, has gone before the throne of God.
Fr. Fiore was a family friend, adviser, and noted expert interviewed several times by International News Analysis. He combined a sharp wit and keen intellect with an endearing humanity and an uncompromising faith. It was a privilege to know him.
He joins in eternity his good friends, Father Malachi Martin, and Father Alfred J. Kunz.
Fr. Martin was a noted geo-political author who received an important amount of material for his later books from Fr. Fiore. For several years before Fr. Martin's death, Fr. Fiore had been concerned with Fr. Martin's health, and urged Fr. Martin to leave New York to settle in the Wisconsin area, where Fr. Fiore resided. Although he expressed interest, Fr. Martin never made the move.
Fr. Fiore was also a close friend of murdered Dane County, Wisconsin priest, Fr. Alfred Kunz.
Concerning the death of his friend, Fr. Fiore stated that, "Fr. Kunz had no enemies except those who hate Christ and His Church." The 1998 Kunz homicide remains unsolved.
At his request, Fr. Fiore's Requiem Mass was celebrated at Saint Mary's Oratory in Rockford, Illinois. St. Mary's is operated by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, an order devoted to offering the traditional Latin Mass and providing the traditional sacraments.
Father Brian Bovee, Rector of St. Mary's Oratory, administered last rites of the Church to Fr. Fiore, who was unconscious and on a respirator in a Madison, Wisconsin hospital. A good portion of Fr. Bovee's 175-mile round trip from Rockford to Madison was made in near-blizzard conditions.
The Requiem Mass was attended by those who knew and worked with Fr. Fiore from all across the United States, including friends who flew in from both coasts. Numerous priests from several orders were in attendance, both on the altar and in the pews. Pro-life representatives and members of the news media were also present.
The St. Mary Oratory Choir provided beautiful renditions of traditional Catholic hymns for the Requiem.
Following Mass, Peter B. Kelly, Wisconsin attorney and radio co-host with Fr. Fiore, gave a heart-felt tribute to Father, assuring listeners that Father's influence will remain strong through the wide dissemination of his radio broadcasts.
The Saint Mary Oratory Altar and Rosary Society graciously provided a luncheon following the Mass, which was particularly appreciated by those who had traveled a long distance to attend the funeral service, including many families with young children.
Later in the afternoon, Father Lawrence Keifer, a retired priest of the Diocese of Madison and friend of Fr. Fiore, conducted the burial service, with prayers said in Latin, at the Fiore family gravesite, Resurrection Cemetery, Madison.
Known for his faithful and uncompromising adherence to Catholic teaching, Fr. Charles Fiore possessed a profound understanding of theology, philosophy, and psychology. He taught at the Dominican Pontifical University -- Angelicum -- as well as several other colleges and universities.
Originally ordained in 1962 as a Dominican, Fr. Fiore became so disheartened at the decline of the order that he joined the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, an order devoted to the traditional sacraments and teachings of the Catholic Church.
Despite officially leaving the Dominicans, Fr. Fiore always considered himself a son of St. Dominic, even requesting to be buried in his Dominican vestments traditionally used at the Mass of the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother into Heaven. He offered the traditional Latin Mass of the Dominican Order until becoming physically incapable of performing the rite.
Fr. Fiore assisted in the founding of the Catholic home schooling movement and the Catholic pro-life movement.
From almost the date of his ordination, Fr. Fiore fought the
growing homosexual influence in the Catholic clergy, and counseled the victims of abuse.
Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for Us.
Information on Fr. Fiore's broadcasts and tapes may be obtained by contacting:
editor@inatoday.com, or
International News Analysis Today,
2364 Jackson St. #301
Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A.
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