File 45 - General Assembly & Chapter of 1987: Post-Chapter Process of Renewal : Reference Notes

Born in Walkerton, Ontario, on February 12, 1928, Fr. Clair was ordained to the priesthood in 1951 and continued his studies at New York’s Fordham University where he received a Master’s degree in sociology in 1954. His missionary career began as he entered language school in Tokyo in the fall of 1954 and over the next 42 years he served as pastor, as assistant secretary general to the Japan’s Bishop’s Conference, and as editor of Tosei News, an English language newsletter for missionaries to Japan.

For over 20 years Fr. Clair also gave himself in service to the Society’s work and welfare in Canada. On two occasions he served as vicar general on the General Council. He was also a rector of the seminary and taught sociology at St. Augustine’s seminary. His final Society responsibility was as the person in charge of Society renewal. For this task he called upon his expertise in PRH (Personality and Human Relations). In 1984 he had studied the PRH program and became a licensed animator. He used these skills in Japan as well, being appointed a coordinator of PRH in Japan in 1991.

Clair was the first Society member of the interfaith organization, WCRP (World Conference on Religion and Peace). As well, he worked closely with the ecumenical church coalition, Canada – China Programme, as he had a special interest in China. During the 1970s, Claire was supportive of the founding of many of the ecumenical church coalitions and of Catholic New Times, an independent Catholic news magazine based in Toronto.

He passed away on Friday, November 1, 1996, from gastric cancer.