UCA News
Contribute

Prominent US Jesuit priest dies in Taiwan

Father Daniel Ross passed away only a week after being awarded Taiwanese citizenship
Prominent US Jesuit priest dies in Taiwan

Father Daniel Ross was awarded Taiwanese citizenship shortly before his death. (Photo courtesy of New Taipei City government)

Published: July 24, 2017 08:35 AM GMT
Updated: July 24, 2017 08:36 AM GMT

An American Jesuit priest has died has died just a week after receiving Taiwanese citizenship, reports say.

Father Daniel Ross, a former dean of Fu Jen Catholic University's sociology department, died on July 22 at age 84.

Taiwan recently changed its naturalization laws allowing foreign individuals to hold dual citizenship.

Most of those awarded citizenship have been Catholic missionaries who have spent decades in Taiwan.

Ross was born in Wisconsin in 1933 and arrived in Taiwan in 1960 after having studied Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California.

He took Chinese language classes in Hsinchu and then went on to teach English in Changhua County before studying in the Philippines for three years. After returning to Taiwan in 1966, he became a priest in Hsinchu.

He later obtained a Ph.D. in sociology in the U.S. before starting a teaching career at Fu Jen in New Taipei City.

The Jesuit priest once said he saw education as more than just teaching, but as a basis for understanding the needs of society, culture and other people.

He was handed a Taiwanese ID card on July 14, reports said.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia