Conyers
Trappist Brother Emilio, Father Dehner Die
Published January 15, 2009
Brother Emilio Quiros, 84, died on Nov. 19, 2008, and Father Philip Dehner, 90, died on Dec. 4, 2008. Both men spent the last years of their lives being cared for in the monastery infirmary.
Born on Sept. 7, 1924, in Matanzas, Cuba, Brother Emilio earned a degree in law at the Universidad de la Habana (University of Havana) and later returned to the university in 1950 to earn a degree in philosophy. In 1973, he returned to school once again and earned a degree in religious studies from Barry College in Miami, Fla.
In January 1948, Brother Emilio entered the Christian Brothers Congregation in Mexico City. From 1949 to 1961 he served the Christian Brothers in Havana, including serving as a principal of a school there. From 1961 to 1967 he worked in Panama and Santo Domingo where he taught religion, philosophy, history and literature. In 1967 Brother Emilio was sent by the provincial of the Christian Brothers to work for the Archdiocese of Miami, where he worked in the Department of Religious Education until 1974.
In 1972 Brother Emilio became a citizen of the United States. On Oct. 2, 1974, he entered the monastery in Conyers. Four years later, he professed solemn vows as a monk.
Brother Emilio is survived by his sister Rebecca Cotilla, three nieces Raquel Cotilla-Platt, Lolly Stack, Rebecca Perdomo and his nephew Aldolpho Cotilla Jr.
Father Philip, known as Thomas before entering the monastery, was born on March 16, 1918, in Burlington, Iowa, one of eight children. He was drafted into the military in June 1942 and served in the Persian Gulf Command Center in Iran until his discharge in October 1945. On Aug. 21, 1947, he arrived at the monastery in Conyers and on Sept. 21, he became a novice with the religious name Philip. Father Philip professed solemn vows as a monk on Nov. 1, 1952, and was ordained to the priesthood on the feast of Sts. Philip and James on May 3, 1953. He devoted himself to monastic life for 60 years and offered the sacrifice of the Mass for the world for 55 years.
Father Philip is survived by his brother Ray Dehner and 24 nieces and nephews.
Those wishing to honor the memory of Brother Emilio and Father Philip may send a donation to the monastery to help with the care of the infirm monks. The Monastery of the Holy Spirit is located at 2625 Highway 212, SW, Conyers, GA 30094. For more information, call (770) 483-8705.