Kriekenbeek, Cebu’s pioneer exorcist, dies

CEBU, Philippines — Rev. Msgr. Frederick “Fred” Kriekenbeek, one of Cebu’s pioneering exorcists, has died. He was 90 years old.

The Archdiocese of Cebu, in a statement, said it mourns with profound sorrow the death of Kriekenbeek, who has been described by many netizens as a humble servant of God, blameless and a highly respected priest in the Archdiocese.

Talisay City Mayor Gerard Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, in his Facebook post, said that he is saddened to hear the news that Kriekenbeek, the founder of the Mary's Little Children Community in Barangay Tabunok, has passed away.

Gullas said that the last time he met the priest was in March last year and though he only knows bits and pieces of the latter’s life, Gullas said the latter has led the congregation well for more than 20 years.

“Though his work as a priest is often overshadowed by his work as the Archdiocese's official exorcist, Msgr. Fred was known for his love of the community. May you truly Rest In Peace, Msgr. Fred. I urged our fellow Talisaynons to pray for Msgr. Fred's eternal repose,” Gullas said.

Netizen Raulito Plarisan said that as a Minglanillahanons in the late 70s, Kriekenbeek was their parish priest.

Plarisan said that Kriekenbeek is the only priest who made visits to the poor and the homeless.

“He helped my aunt who was being possessed by demons even during the new era, when UV Minglanilla students were being infested by demons,” Plarisan added.

Another netizen Ren Etsil, in his social media account, said that he was Kriekenbeek’s driver, server, assistant for more than a year while he was still in the community.

“It was such an honor for me to have known you personally. You are truly a God's gift to the Church! You've taught me a lot,” said Etsil.

According to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu, during Krikenbeek’s younger years, he was a Harvard scholar at Harvard Law School which he set aside and chose the call to the priestly life and ministry.

He was ordained priest on February 2, 1961 at St. John's Seminary, Massachusetts.

It said that Kriekenbeek used to serve in the many parishes and various ministries in the Archdiocese until he founded the religious sisters, Living the Gospel Community (LGC) and religious priests, Mary’s Little Children Community (MLCC).

He was also instrumental to the establishment and nourishment of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement (CCRM) as well as to the growth of the Catechetical Training Institute in the Archdiocese of Cebu (CATIC).

“He was gifted with healing and deliverance and became one of the pioneering exorcists in Cebu for 60 years,” the Archdiocese of Cebu added.

He  is described by the communities he founded and the people whom he had close encounters with as a holy priest, a visionary, a missionary, an evangelizer, a spiritual adviser and gifted with healing.

The remains of Kriekenbeek now lie at the Sacred Heart Parish Mortuary along D. Jakosalem Street, Cebu City.

They will be transferred to the Mary’s Little Children Community - Mother House and Healing Center- Chapel, Tabunok, Talisay City, Cebu on Thursday morning, September 29, 2022.

On Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 7 a.m., the mortal remains of Kriekenbeen will be transferred to the Living the Gospel Community - Mother House and Formation House- Chapel, Nazareth, Mantalongon, Barili, Cebu. At 3 p.m., the funeral mass will be celebrated. — JMD (FREEMAN)