Father Gerard Peeters

born in Zutendaal 1928   deceased in Kessel-Lo 1993 first vow in Zuun 1948 CICM (Scheut) (Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) priestly ordination in Scheut 1953  Philipinnes : 1954 - 1962  Brazilia : 1966 - 1990

Father Gerard’s mother believed that he should not let himself be carried away by the adventurous stories of missionary Father Piet Geusens. She urged him instead to follow the example of his older brother, who was a diocesan priest. 

But Father Gerard remained firm in his decision — he wanted to become a Scheut missionary (CICM). His enthusiasm and joy for his vocation would eventually lead him to the farthest corners of the world.

In 1954, he left for the Philippines, where he worked until 1962. He first devoted himself to language study and youth ministry. From 1955, he served as assistant to the parish priest in Cervantes, and a year later he became associate pastor, a position he held for the next five years. In 1961, he was appointed economus and teacher at the Minor Seminary of Guadalupe in Manila.

In 1962, Father Gerard Peeters returned home for the first time and was appointed provincial mission animator for the Diocese of Hasselt.

Then, in 1966, his Brazilian mission adventure began. Together with four Scheut fathers and seven sisters, including Sister Maria Schrijvers, he was assigned to the Diocese of Nova Iguaçu. He was given responsibility for the parish of Santa Maria, where he worked alongside a Filipino priest. Illiteracy was widespread, and there were many health problems — the average life expectancy there was only 44 years, compared with 67 in Belgium at that time.

Gemeentelijke jongensschool Mariaknapen Zutendaal. Gerard Peeters linksbovenaan.

Father Gerard also encountered other painful realities, including alcoholism. Until 1990, he continued his missionary work in Brazil, though with occasional breaks. During those years he served, among other things, as provincial economus and as (assistant) parish priest in various locations.

Through it all, Father Gerard remained above all a man of pastoral dedication.

During the final years of his stay in Brazil, Father Gerard worked together with his people to build dozens of houses for the poor, with whom he had formed deep friendships. Several homeless families joined forces to construct their own homes. Father Gerard also provided clean drinking water to many people and families by taking the initiative to dig wells — they could be found wherever he had spent time.

Father Gerard Peeters’ mission in Brazil was interrupted between 1971 and 1975. During that period of leave in Belgium, he once again devoted himself to mission animation in the Diocese of Hasselt.

From 1990 onward, he remained in Belgium due to illness. After a major operation, he was left completely paralyzed in his lower limbs. Following two years in hospital, he was able to move in with his fellow missionaries in Kessel-Lo.

A sudden death released him from his suffering in 1993.