Chris Ponnet, a priest who ministered to the sick and opposed the death penalty, dies

When the news first broke that Chris Ponnet, long-time pastor of the St. Camillus Center for spiritual care in the highlands of Lincoln, had died, pictures and rumors appeared on the Internet.

There it was his picture Arrested in 2011 for the blockade of Downtown Los Angeles over the war in Afghanistan. Another photo showed him at an anti-punishment event holding a cross with a message “Substitute the death penalty” written in the center.

Chiefs include one at Lincoln Heights High School of Heart, where he was praised as “SEARCH COMMUNITY AND A GOOD TIME. “

Ponnet is remembered as a man who often served as a lone guest in the hundreds of deaths caused by covion-19 19, which he supported with an annual service honoring the unwanted dead and was arrested several times.

To family members, however, he was a caring person,” said his brother Jim.

The family announced Ponnet’s passing on Oct. 7 at the age of 68.

He is survived by his sisters Elizabeth and Mary Alice and brother Jim. He was an uncle to more than 20 teacher mentors.

A viewing, rosary and vigil will be held at St Luke’s in Temple City on Monday, starting at 5:30 PM

A formal celebration of life is scheduled for Tuesday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Downtown Los Angeles at 10 a.m.

Both the viewing and the funeral are open to the public, while the burial is private.

Ponnet has spent the past 30 years as pastor of St. Camillus, which is just down the street from USC’s Health Sciences Campus.

There, he served as the site manager for the Urban Interfaith Chaplaincy Program, where he helped train the next generation of chaplains. He was the Director of the office of Los Angeles General Medical Mecial Medical Care of spirituality.

It was in the last situation that Pononnet attended to the isolated patients of Covid-19 during the first year of the basket.

Ponnet is fully equipped with protective equipment – a hat, a mask and a blanket – and prays with isolated patients where a few others are not allowed to enter, said a spokesperson for the Los Angeles General Medical Center, said in a statement.

“Father Chris’ legacy is one of love, service, and undying faith,” the statement said. “Beloved by staff, patients, and the wider community, he leaves a void that will be deeply felt. His memory and the values ​​he instilled will continue to inspire all who knew him.”

The first year of the Connist-19 ponnet is very touching.

“I’ve had nine people die on a certain day,” Pounnet said in March 2021. He added: “You have to face that and put it in context because the next person needs it.”

Ponnetnet volunteered his time to oversee the annual ceremony and burial of dead wanted in boyle heightswhere hundreds of La County residents were buried together.

“Chris Ponnet was the first, a man of God,” said Dale-in-law. “Everything he did was guided by the message of Jesus Christ – loving others, caring for them, and being kind.”

Ponnet was born in 1957 at Garfield Hospital in Monterey Park.

He was the youngest of eight children of parents Mary and Frank J. Pononnet, who lived in Temple City.

His father fought in World War II and came home to serve as a mailman, before dying of a heart attack in 1961. In need of income, his mother served as a registered nurse at Alhambra Hospital.

“We grew up as a devout Catholic family that believed in us every week, that believed in family first,” said Elizabeth Ponnet, 78, one of Chris Ponnet’s four sisters. “We believe in helping and I think Chris really believed in that.”

Ponnet was an altar server in the church of St. Luke, where he went to elementary and middle school.

In eighth grade, Pounnet recited Martin Luther King Jr. I “have a dream” to talk about a class project.

“That’s when I think he’s going to be involved in working and helping people for the rest of his life,” said his sister Elizabeth.

Ponnet followed his brother, Frank A. PonnetnetOur Lady Queen of the Little Angels has now destroyed the seminary in San Fernando and later the seminary of St. John’s in Camarillo.

Where Frank found a life of teaching, Chris continued on his path to the priesthood.

“He loved God and always thought he was going to be a priest,” said his brother Jim, who was 74. “He always wanted to help.”

Ponnet was ordained a priest on December 3, 1983, and began his ministry to our women of the village in Caloga Park and our Lady of Contemplation in Claremont before proposing for 30 years in St. Camillus.

He united various causes through vigorous life and politics. In 1990, he pressured former GOP Rep. David Dreyer of La Verne cutting Urce Aid to El Salvador during the nation’s civil war.

He called The first Gulf War “is not good“And, as the pacifist director of the Catholic Peace Coalition, it quickly led to opposition to the war A LOT.

He also started on local issues, such as legal legitimacy Pomona card roomswhile he was earning The Archdiocese’s Gay and Lesbian Ministry and AIDS service.

One of his many projects in the game was the fight against the death penalty. He was a board member Dep Penencelty Watchorganization whose purpose is to end punishment.

“He’s always organizing and living on the streets,” said Mike Farrell, former actor and Deal Penalty Watch.

Ponnet’s rehabilitation led to his imprisonment at least 30 times, According to the Los Angeles Archdiocese.

However, more than the approval, it is Ponnetnet’s humility that will stick with him, Farrell said.

Demory Poncenalty Watch hosts an annual Gala at the Skirball Cultural Center in which it honors people who have fought against the death penalty.

In all these events, Ponnet often found himself helping others.

“He would pull out chairs, direct people to tables and do whatever was needed,” Farrell said. “There is no one like him.”