Former Pastor Roberto Quinones Dies

A former pastor who brought bilingual services to local Latino immigrants died after being robbed and beaten in Mexico, his fellow clergy said Saturday. Father Roberto G. Quinones was 46.

Quinones served St. Boniface Catholic Church as associate pastor from 1985 to 1990 before moving last year to the Tijuana area where his father lived, said St. Boniface Pastor John Lenihan.

Fernando Quinones, 44, of Anaheim, the priest’s brother, said Roberto Quinones ate turkey on Thanksgiving Day before leaving for the local parish where he helped recruit men for the priesthood. He was later found beaten and robbed. No arrests have been made.

During his hospital stay, doctors tried to repair his broken nose but Quinones suffered a reaction to the anesthesia and lapsed into a coma. He died Dec. 10, Lenihan said.

“I feel so angry right now. I wanted to go down to Tijuana and beat up someone. But then I thought to myself and said that (my brother) would not have wanted me to do that. He lead a good life, he fulfilled his mission and I believe that is so in the eyes of God,” the brother said.

Quinones was known to church members as Father Roberto. Born in Mexico, he attracted many Latino parishioners to the church because he offered Mass in both Spanish and English.

“His main focus was in the Hispanic community, and he was instrumental in reaching out to them,” Lenihan said. “It’s tragic. He was a young man.”

Lenihan said he will always remember Quinones laughing and smiling as he administered the annual blessing of the animals at St. Boniface Elementary School. The priest often said it was one of his most cherished activities to be surrounded by the giddy schoolchildren who flocked to have their favorite pets blessed.

Parishioner Teresa Paniagua said he was always willing to help.

“One of his characteristics that I remember is that he never could say no to anyone. If they asked him to do something, he would do it,” she said.

A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Monday and the funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, both at St. Boniface Catholic Church.