R.I.P. Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay

Father Jorge Oriz-Garay was finally laid to rest in Mexico.  His family had a difficult time trying to get his body back to Mexico after he passed away from COVID-19.  He was described as a "great guy with a big heart" by Father Pius.  The following article can be found here.

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Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay Laid to Rest in Mexico

Forty-one days after his death, due to complications from COVID-19, the body of Father Jorge arrived in Mexico. 

It was the end of a long journey, from Brooklyn back to his family, that required the concerted efforts of many — church officials, civil authorities both in Brooklyn and Mexico City, and Delta Airlines. 

DeSales Media, parent company of The Tablet, led the transportation effort to return his body amid the public health regulations of the current pandemic. 

The body of Father Jorge departed from New York to Atlanta Sunday, May 3, on its way to Mexico City. After a three-day layover, including one canceled flight, the casket arrived on Wednesday, May 6. 

On Thursday, the family was allowed a brief visitation, while a deacon offered the prayers of committal.

The burial took place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, in the presence of his parents, Jorge Ortiz and Estela Garay, as well as other members of his immediate family. Father Daniel Castro conducted the final prayers for the eternal rest of Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay.

Irais Ortiz-Garay, the youngest of Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay’s four siblings, expressed the relief her family feels now that they have finally been able to bury her brother in Mexico City.

“We are grateful to all the people who worked so hard during the last weeks to bring my brother’s body to our family,” she told The Tablet. 

Fr. Jorge, 49, was the pastor of St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, when he died on Friday, March 27, 2020. He had been serving in the Diocese since 2009, first at St. Joseph’s in Prospect Heights, then at St. Brigid’s. 

Father Jorge was ordained to the Priesthood at the Archdiocese of Newark as a member of the Neocatechumenal Way on May 29, 2004.