Irish war chaplain’s canonisation cause to open in Mullingar next month

Mullingar will be centre stage when the cause for the canonisation of First World War chaplain and Jesuit priest, Fr Willie Doyle (1873-1917), opens next month.

The Father Willie Doyle Association, which has been promoting Fr Doyle’s case for beatification and canonisation for many years, has welcomed a decision by the Bishop of Meath, Most Rev. Tom Deenihan, to open the process.

As a result of the move, Fr Doyle – a Dubliner who joined the Jesuit order at Rahan, Co. Offaly in the Diocese of Meath (1891) – is now known as the Servant of God, Fr Willie Doyle SJ.

During the First World War, Fr Doyle served as a military chaplain in the 16th (Irish) Division, in which many Westmeath men fought and died. He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery during the Battle of the Somme, and was killed while attending to a wounded man in Belgium in August 1917.

The cause for his beatification and canonisation will formally commence at Vespers in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar on Sunday November 20 at 5pm, and all are welcome to attend.

Today (Thursday), the Father Willie Doyle Association announced the appointment of Fr John Hogan, former parish priest of Multyfarnham, as the Diocese of Meath’s postulator for the cause.

“Only one Irish person – St Oliver Plunkett – has been canonised in the last 500 years. Ireland has many great candidates for sainthood, and Fr Willie Doyle is one of the most fascinating of all,” Fr Hogan said.

“His attractive personality, and his love for God and for others, shines through his writings. He is also a tremendously relevant figure for the Church today, especially in Ireland.

“By offering his life to save wounded Anglican soldiers he became an ecumenical martyr of charity and is an icon of reconciliation and unity in the midst of religious and political division.

“He explicitly offered his life to God in reparation for the sins of priests; this offering has a greater resonance with us now than it did at the time of his death.

“Willie Doyle also suffered a breakdown as a novice when he was caught up in a fire in his novitiate building. Yet, 20 years later, he was admired by all who met him as a rock of courage in the trenches of World War 1.

“His example is one of hope for many. I am privileged to act as postulator for Fr Willie’s cause and look forward to helping to make him a new saint for the Jesuits and a new saint for Ireland.”

Commenting on the Bishop’s announcement, the President of the Association Patrick Kenny said: “The opening of Fr Willie’s cause is a response to the wishes of many people, over many decades, who have wanted to see him recognised as a saint in the Catholic Church.

“We want to thank Bishop Deenihan for accepting our formal petition to open Fr Willie’s canonisation process; we also want to thank the Society of Jesus for their support and encouragement.

“Fr Willie Doyle volunteered as a military chaplain in the First World War and served in this role from late 1915 until his death in August 1917. During his years as a chaplain he accompanied his men through the horrors of war and was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery at the Battle of the Somme. He was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele while rescuing two wounded Anglican soldiers from Ulster.

“His heroism during the war, as well as the holiness of his life in general, led to an outpouring of devotion to him in the years after his death.

“By the early 1930s over 50,000 letters testifying to devotion to him were received, over 6,000 of which alleged favours and healings through his intercession. The Association is privileged to take on the role of Actor for Fr Willie’s Cause.”