Fr. Daniel P. Liderbach, SJ, died on Feb. 1, 2024, at Colombiere Center in Clarkston. He was 82 years old.
Fr. Liderbach was born on March 17, 1941, in Cleveland, Ohio. Before entering the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), he graduated from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. He entered the Detroit Province of the Society of Jesus on Sept. 1, 1958, at the Jesuit novitiate in Milford, Ohio. He was ordained a priest on June 2, 1973, at St. Patrick's Church in Cleveland, and pronounced final vows on Dec. 8, 1978, at Rodman Hall, the Jesuit Community of John Carroll University.
While in the Society, Dan earned a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy (1954) and a Licentiate in Philosophy (1965) from Loyola University Chicago. He earned a Master's Degree in Theology (1973) and a Doctorate Degree in Systematic Theology (1979) from the University of St. Michael in Toronto, Ontario. The title of his dissertation was: "The Theology of Suffering of Martin Luther in Modern Translation: A comparative study in the roots of the theology of suffering of Dietrich Bonhoeffer." In 1983, Fr. Liderbach earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Regis College in Toronto, Ontario.
During regency, Fr. Liderbach taught math at St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio (1965-68). Early in his Jesuit life, he had surgery to remove a brain tumor. This experienced helped to form his worldview and influence his scholarly research topics.
After doctoral studies, he worked for one year at the University of Detroit before teaching religious studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, for five years (1978-83). Fr. Liderbach then spent 23 years teaching religious studies at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. (1983-2006). After ministering at Holy Family Parish in Parma, Ohio, Fr. Liderbach was missioned to Colombiere Center in 2008 to write, perform pastoral ministry, and pray for the Church and the Society. He helped at several parishes in the area, including St. Rita Parish in Holly.
Fr. Liderbach was a devoted Jesuit, priest, teacher, and scholar. He had an inquisitive and open mind which helped him to consider issues and situations from different points of view. This mindset, coupled with his deep love of Christ, helped him to effectively write and teach about issues such as suffering, early and modern-day Christianity, and the role of grace (in our lives and in the world). He authored eight books and many articles. In addition to being a scholar, he was a gifted musician who loved to sing and play the classical guitar.
Visitation will be held for Fr. Liderbach on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4-7 p.m. with a service at 7 p.m. at Colombiere Center, 9075 Big Lake Road, Clarkston. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 10:30 a.m. at Colombiere Center.
Fr. Liderbach is survived by his siblings: John, Brian, Mark, Mary, Kathleen Reese, Sharon Davidson, and Susan Mejia.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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