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In Memoriam

A gifted academic, Lúcás was diligent, disciplined, and prodigious in his work. Veteran scholars in his field regarded him among the world’s top ten moralists of his generation.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. Lúcás (Yiu-Sing Luke) Chan, S.J., who died at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., on May 19, 2015. He was 46 years old, a Jesuit for 22 years, and a priest for 8 years. May he rest in peace.

Lúcás was born in Hong Kong, China, on June 7, 1968, where he spent his childhood and young adult years. Before entering the Singapore novitiate of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus in 1993, Lúcás attended Sir Robert Black College of Education (Hong Kong). Following philosophy studies in Hong Kong, Lúcás pursued degrees in education at the University of Birmingham (UK). He completed his first and second cycles of theology at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines and Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Boston, Mass. Lúcás was ordained to the priesthood on August 26, 2006, and made tertianship in Dublin, Ireland.

Assigned to regency with the Jesuit Service in Cambodia, Lúcás was the first Chinese Jesuit to be missioned to apostolic work outside the province. He served as the acting director for Banteay Prieb, a vocational training school for the handicapped, near Phnom Penh. He completed a final year of regency at Matteo Ricci College in Macau. After completing doctoral studies in biblical ethics at Boston College in 2010, Lúcás held various fellowships and visiting professorships: visiting fellow, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn.; international visiting fellow, Woodstock Theological Center, Washington, DC; adjunct assistant professor, the Chinese University of Hong Kong; international visiting Jesuit scholar, the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, Calif.; and Michael Hurley, S.J., Fellow, Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. In 2014, Marquette University hired Lúcás for a tenure track position in its Theology Department. During his doctoral studies and teaching, Lúcás stayed involved with pastoral work, particularly with Chinese Catholics. He loved presiding and preaching.

Through his formation, studies, and teaching, Lúcás participated in the Jesuits’ work in several different countries; this gave him a broad sense of the Society and its universal mission.  Being comfortable with a simple lifestyle and possessing a keen intellect complemented his availability to go where he was called and where the need was greatest. A gifted academic, Lúcás was diligent, disciplined, and prodigious in his work. Veteran scholars in his field regarded him among the world’s top ten moralists of his generation. At the time of his death, Lúcás had published two books and numerous journal articles. Perhaps it was his being a virtue ethicist that gave him the ability to gently blend intelligence with empathy. He possessed the admirable qualities of patience and understanding, easily formed friendships with people from different cultures, and had a natural inclination to connect with older people. He always respected the other and was a faithful friend and strong colleague.

VISITATION
Thursday, May 28, 2015
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Gesu Church

1145 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53233

FUNERAL
Thursday, May 28, 2015
4:00 p.m.
Gesu Church
1145 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
*Reception Immediately following the funeral Mass

BURIAL SERVICE
Hong Kong, China

Messages of condolence may be sent to one of the following:
Marquette University Jesuit Community
1404 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53233-2238

Yau CHAN and Chi-kin CHENG (Parents)
9 K, Fook Hey Court, Holford Garden
Tai Wai, Shatin, NT
Hong Kong, China