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Rev. Edward J. Luca, JCD

Deceased: 2014-10-20

Diocese: CLEVELAND

CSM Graduation Year: 1961

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The Reverend Edward J Luca, JCD Pastor Emeritus, St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Sheffield Village died Monday, 20 October 2014, after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments.

Edward J. Luca was born on 13 December 1929. His parents were the late John F. and Mary A.(Stohla). He was educated at Holy Trinity, Lorain, Hawthorne Jr. High School, Lorain High School, St. Mary High School, Lorain, Sacred Heart College, Detroit, MI, Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Detroit, MI and St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland. On 18 December 1954 in the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist, Archbishop Edward F. Hoban ordained him to the priesthood for the service of the Diocese of Cleveland.

Fr. Luca’s first assignment was as Parochial Vicar of St. Wendelin, Cleveland. On 25 August 1957 he was transferred to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist to serve as Parochial Vicar.  On 4 June 1958 Fr. Luca began Postgraduate Studies in Rome. On 14 September 1961 he was appointed to serve in the Diocesan Tribunal and as Chaplain of Marycrest. Fr. Luca was appointed Defensor Vinculi of the Tribunal 29 August 1963. On 10 September 1968 he was appointed Secretary to the Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland. He was assigned to serve as Defender of the Bond on 18 June 1969. Fr. Luca was appointed Officialis of the Diocesan Tribunal on 1 October 1974. On 15 June 1977 he took up residence at St. Basil the Great, Brecksville and was appointed administrator on 15 September 1978. On 1 February 1979 Fr. Luca was appointed Vice Officialis of the Diocesan Tribunal and full time administrator of St. Basil the Great. During this assignment he also served as Personal Delegate of Bishop regarding the use of “internal forum” solutions regarding marriage cases. Fr. Luca was assigned Parochial Vicar in residence, pro tem of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on 15 September 1980. During this assignment he served as President of Priests’ Senate, Pro-Synodal Judge of Diocesan Tribunal and Moderator of the Council of Priests. On 19 June 1984 he was assigned Parochial Vicar of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and part time Director of the Clergy Personnel Office. On I July 1985 he was appointed full time Director of the Clergy Personnel Office. Fr. Luca was assigned Pastor of St. Teresa of Avila, Sheffield Village on 15 February 1990 where he served until his retirement on 15 September 2001. Fr. Luca also served as Adjutant Judicial Vicar-Coordinator of Second Instance Court, Chaplain of Knights of Columbus #4223, Dean of Lorain Deanery and Adjutant Judicial Vicar, presiding Judge, appeal court.

Vespers will be celebrated by Bishop Richard Lennon on Thursday, 23 October in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 1454 Lexington Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052, at 3:00 p.m. The wake will continue until 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, 24 October in Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at 11:00 a.m. Bishop Roger Gries will be the main celebrant and Fr. James Vesely will be the homilist. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.