Manuel Suárez Fernández Explained

Manuel Suárez Fernández OP (5 November 1895 - 30 June 1954) was a Spanish Dominican friar and Catholic priest who became the 80th Master of the Order of Preachers in 1946 and served until his death in 1954. He was born in Herías and died in Perpignan.^[1]

Worker-Priest Controversy

In February, 1954, in the context of the controversy over the Worker-priest movement in France, Suarez removed the Priors Provincial of the Paris, Lyons, and Toulouse Dominican provinces.^[2]

Death

While still in office as Master of the Dominican Order, Suárez was killed in an automobile accident in 1954. He was traveling at the time from Rome to Madrid. Also killed was his secretary, Fr. Aureliano Martinez Cantarino.^[3] As a result, Fr. T.S. McDermott, OP, the Dominican Provincial of the Province of St. Joseph (Eastern USA), briefly assumed responsibility for governing the Order until Fr. Michael Browne, OP was elected in April 1955.^[4]

Notes and References

1. In Memoriam: The Most Reverend Emmanuel Suarez . Dominicana . March 1954 . 39 . 3 . 227–230 . 29 March 2022.
2. News: Writer Priests Ousted . The New York Times . February 13, 1954 . 7.
3. News: Head of Dominicans Killed in Accident . The New York Times . July 1, 1954 . 2.
4. News: May Head Dominicans: American Vicar General Sails for Order's Session in Rome . The New York Times . Jan 21, 1955 . 3.