Emil J Labbe

Fr. Emil J. Labbe, C.PP.S., 66, died at 12:23 p.m., in the infirmary of St. Charles Center, after a lengthy illness. Fr. Labbe was born to Emil J. and Helen (McManus) Labbe. Surviving are a sister, Elizabeth Labbe, St. Petersburg, FL; and two brothers, Edward (Marcia) Labbe and Frank (Jackie) Labbe, of Rollinsford, N.H. Deceased are a brother, Joseph; and one sister, Germaine C. Davis. He attended Saint Joseph's College, Rensselaer, Ind., earning a bachelor of arts degree in history and philosophy, and the University of Dayton, receiving a master of arts degree in theology. He entered the Society of the Precious Blood in 1963 and was ordained on June 1, 1968. His first assignments were as associate pastor of St. James the Less Church, Columbus, Ohio, and instructor at DeSales High School. He then was appointed vice president of student affairs at Saint Joseph's College. His next assignment was as associate pastor of St. Henry Church, St. Henry, Ohio, where he also served as principal and instructor at the St. Henry Catechetical Center. He began graduate studies at the Catholic University of America in 1975 and earned his doctorate in canon law. In 1978 he was named pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Hill City, Kan., where he was instrumental in building a new Catholic church. While there he also served as administrator of St. Joseph's parish, New Almelo, Kan., and was also part of the team ministry involving parishes in Logan and Densmore, Kan. He also served at parishes in Plainsville and Salina, Kan. While in Salina, he became involved with the diocese's matrimonial tribunal, which oversees the annulment process. In 1995, he became pastor of St. John the Baptist Church, Maria Stein, Ohio, and later was appointed a judge on the matrimonial tribunal for the appeals court of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Health problems forced his retirement to St. Charles Center in 2001. In retirement he frequently gave talks for adult religious education, concentrating on the annulment procedure, and helping numerous people with the annulment process. Fr. Labbe had "quick and piercing intellect. He was very organized in his thinking and in his work," said his friend, Fr. James McCabe, C.PP.S. "When talking with Fr. Labbe, you were never in doubt about his position on a subject. He was very clear on what he liked and what he didn't. No one could accuse him of being a diplomat in expressing what he thought was right or wrong. He was not afraid of conflict, particularly when he was standing up for something he truly believed in." Fr. Labbe saw his work with the annulment process as a true ministry, Fr. McCabe added. "He was very thorough in helping people understand the process," he said. "He helped many people. To my knowledge, he never lost a case." A Mass of Christian burial at St. Charles Center.