Rev. John H. West

Deceased: 2005-04-14

Diocese: DETROIT

CSM Graduation Year: 1992

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The Rev. John West, a Catholic priest who reached out to members of his faith and other denominations in Metro Detroit, died from a heart attack in Providence Hospital, Southfield. on April 14, 2005. Ordained in 1980, the Rev. West was the pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows in Farmington since 2003 and held a variety of positions in parishes and the Detroit archdiocese. He was a professor at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, staff theologian for the education and communications departments of the archdiocese and columnist for the Michigan Catholic. “The interfaith community has lost a true friend and partner in Father John West,” said Steve Spreitzer, coordinator of the National Conference for Community and Justice Interfaith Partners. “He served on the board of directors of Interfaith Partner and was a teacher, a spiritual guide and a friend to Jews, Muslims and Christians of all denominations. He will be deeply missed.” The Rev. West served in numerous churches over the years, including parishes in Dearborn, Warren, Monroe and Plymouth. “Father West touched every single aspect of church life in the Archdiocese of Detroit through his many assignments,” said Monsignor John Zenz, moderator of the curia for the archdiocese. “He was a consummate teacher who bore witness to what he preached in the way that he lived — with charity, humility and generosity.” Surviving are his parents, Edmund and Maxine West; and five siblings, Paul, Mary, Jane Martin, Ann Grimm and Judith Naber.