Francisco Reus Froylán, former bishop of Puerto Rico, dies at 89
Episcopal News Service. November 24, 2008 [112408-07]
The Rt. Rev. Francisco Reus Froylán, former bishop of Puerto Rico (1964-1989), died on November 19 of pneumonia. He was 89.
As the first native Episcopal bishop of Puerto Rico, Reus Froylán's ministry was characterized by a focus on Christian unity and social justice, and an abiding sense of humor.
At the time of his election to the episcopate in 1964, Reus Froylán was dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Santurce, his home town. He had served at the cathedral beginning in 1959, when he became rector of its Spanish-speaking congregation and director of the Episcopal Cathedral School. Three years later, he was called as rector of the English-speaking congregation as well. He served on many diocesan boards and commissions, including the Bishop's Council of Advice, executive council, diocesan school board, board of examining chaplains and ecclesiastical court. He was chair of the department of diocesan affairs and the commission on ecumenical relations, and as chair of the commission on youth of the Department of Religious Education, he directed the diocese's annual youth conference in St. Just. He also edited the diocese's monthly journal, Credo.
He was also active in civic affairs, including Boy's Town, the Boy Scout Council of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Good Samaritan Society and the American Bible Society of Puerto Rico. He was a member of the Lion's Club of Rio Piedras.
Before joining the Cathedral staff, Reus Froylán served several congregations, including Atonement, Quebrade Limon, where he helped to found Colegie San Jose, where he was a teacher and chaplain. He continued to serve the school when it moved to St. Just and became Colegio San Just. Reus Froylán founded the Church of the Holy Family in San Just, and was in charge of St. Hilda's Church, Trujillo Alto.
Reus Froylán was ordained a deacon in 1942 and was a curate at St. John's Cathedral until his ordination to the priesthood the following year. He then assisted at St. Andrew's Church, Mayaguez, under the Rev. Charles Beyton, who later became Bishop of Puerto Rico and then Suffragan Bishop of New York. Reus Froylán was ordained a bishop on November 30, 1964 at St. John's Cathedral.
Reus Froylán was born in Santurce on April 14, 1919, son of an Episcopal priest. He studied at Pence High School, the University of Puerto Rico, and the Dubois Church Training School in Tennessee, continuing his education at Philadelphia Divinity School and the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Caribbean. He was married to the former Doreen Brewer of Tennessee. The couple had three daughters; Pamela, Sandra and Carolyn.
His remains will be buried in the historic cemetery of the Episcopal Church in Quebrada Limón, Puerto Rico.