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The Most Reverend Remi De Roo, bishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria, died on February 1, in Victoria, at the age of 97. 

De Roo was ordained as a priest on June 8, 1950. He was named the youngest bishop in the world when Pope John XXIII elevated him to the position at the age of 38. He was an active participant at the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, and was the last surviving bishop to have attended all four sessions. He described himself as "a pilgrim of the Second Vatican Council." At the mandatory retirement age of 75, his resignation was accepted by the Holy Father on March 18, 1999.

During his episcopal ministry, Bishop De Roo chaired the social justice committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, was the main force behind the 1983 Canadian bishops' statement Ethical Reflections on the Economic Crisis, wrote and taught extensively, and formed strong ecumenical and interfaith bonds with leaders in communities on Vancouver Island and beyond. Bishop de Roo was the first Honorary Officer of the Order of the Diocese of British Columbia, and was invested into the Order on October 20, 2018. 

A vigil will be held at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria on Friday, February 11 at 5:00 pm. His funeral will follow on Saturday, February 12 at 11:00am, also at the cathedral. Because Covid-19 restrictions will limit attendance to 50% capacity, in-person attendance is by invitation.

The funeral will also be livestreamed on YouTube at youtu.be/8LqjMnOOMDw. 

May he rest in peace, and may perpetual light shine upon him.