Obituaries

Chicago (April 15, 2025) – Rev. John P. Lucas, J.C.L., retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former judicial vicar with the Court of Appeals of the Province of Chicago, passed away Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the age of 82.

Lucas was born on March 8, 1943, in Chillicothe, Ohio. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, Immaculata High School in Kansas, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.

Lucas was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 20, 1968, at St. Peter Basilica in Rome by Most Rev. Francis Reh, bishop of Saginaw in Michigan, and rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, affiliated with the Pontifical Gregorian University. He celebrated his first solemn Mass on Dec. 21 of the same year at Villa Stritch in Rome.

After ordination to the priesthood, Lucas served as assistant pastor at St. Cyprian Parish in River Grove, associate pastor at St. Edmund Parish in Oak Park, and as judge at the Metropolitan Tribunal and at the Court of Appeals of the Province of Chicago.

Rev. Michael Bradley, retired archdiocesan priest, had known Lucas since 1993. “I began working at the Tribunal and got to work with him,” Bradley said. “He studied in Rome for his degree in canon law. He was fair-minded in applying the law and had a real gift in combining his canon law knowledge and expertise in pastoral ministry.” Bradley remembered how Lucas had concern for people. “When he had to decide on a possible marriage annulment, he did with great deal of concern for all parties. They were not just cases for him, they were people,” Bradley stated.

After retirement, Lucas continued to serve on appeal cases as the adjutant judicial vicar in charge of the Court of Second Instance of the Metropolitan Tribunal until his death and he was dedicated to parish ministry. Bradley added that he enjoyed listening to him because of his expertise and wisdom. “He was dedicated in attending conferences to keep up with canonical developments because the law changes over time. I could always go to him for advice and he will be greatly missed.”

Rev. Michael Hack, retired archdiocesan priest, met Lucas in the seminary while Lucas was a class ahead. Later, they worked together in the Metropolitan Tribunal.  He was a good canonist and a good pastoral priest,” Hack said. “He was very responsive to people and never gave a short shrift to anyone. He had respect for people realizing we are all God’s children.”

Funeral services and details will be available at a later date.