Slain Hammond priest laid to rest . wwltv.com Posted on July 16, 2011 at 5:13 PM
Maya Rodriguez / Eyewitness News
HAMMOND, La. -- From near and far, several hundred people gathered at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Hammond, to honor Father Ed Everitt, the man who led the church for the past six years.
"Father Ed encouraged others to get involved, to commit themselves in providing for the homeless and hungry," said Rev. Christopher Eggleton, O.P, Provincial.
Known by his parishioners as Father Ed, his murder stunned the parish earlier this week, leaving many to ask, 'Why?'
"I was in shock," said parish council president A.J. Collura.
Police have suspect in custody: 31-year-old Jeremy Manieri, who was a handyman around the retreat house in Waveland, MS, which is owned by the Dominican Order. Father Ed had gone there for a short vacation, when police say he and Manieri got into an argument. It ended with Manieri shooting Father Ed, with the priest's own gun.
Manieri is a convicted sex offender, but authorities believe the motive behind the murder was robbery. The day after the murder, officers in Florida found Manieri driving Father Ed's vehicle. They arrested him and say Manieri confessed to the crime.
On Saturday, though, parishioners, along with the Dominican Order, focused on Father Ed-- a man they say who loved classical music, cared about those less fortunate and had an infectious energy.
"Father Ed was quite an exuberant character," Father Eggleton said.
"Father Everitt was well loved and served with such fervor and he will always be remembered for the great gift of God that he brought through his priestly ministry and his sermon," said Bishop Robert Muench of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. "The loss that we feel is indescribable."
In the meantime, Manieri is expected to be extradited to Mississippi this week.
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