Father Val McInnes dies at 82

    Dominican Father Val McInnes died Nov. 22 after a lengthy illness. He was 82.
    At the time of his death, he was serving as a chaplain for the Southern Commandery of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, senior chaplain, Grand Priory of America, Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem USA and Chaplain Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem Southern Lieutenancy USA.
    He was born in London, Ontario, Canada on April 29, 1929, and professed solemn vows at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., in 1959. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1961.
    From 1966-70, he was the director at the Tulane Catholic Center in New Orleans  and was the founding pastor of St. Thomas More University Parish at Tulane. He served as a lecturer at Tulane Medical School until 1982.  He also was founder, director and executive secretary of Judeo-Christian Studies at Tulane University.  
    From 1975-79, he also taught homiletics at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. He served as prior of St. Anthony of Padua Priory and St. Dominic Priory in New Orleans.
    From 1981-84, he was instrumental in securing art for the Louisiana World Exhibition as director of the New Orleans Vatican Pavilion. He was the promoter of Development for the Province of St. Martin de Porres from 1985-2000 and continued as a consultant in development up until his death.
    He is survived by his brother James A. McInnes and preceded in death by his parents Genevieve Rodgers and Angus McInnes and siblings John McInnes, Rosemary McInnes Coles, Angus Joseph McInnes Jr. and Patrick McInnes.