Cause of WWI chaplain Fr Willie Doyle SJ to advance to Rome
Closing of diocesan phase believed to be first of its kind in Ireland in at least 40 years
The Father Willie Doyle Association has warmly welcomed the closing of the diocesan phase of the cause for canonisation of World War I Jesuit chaplain Fr Willie Doyle SJ, which took place at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar today.
The documentation gathered during the inquiry is expected to be taken to Rome next month, marking the next stage in the process.
Speaking after the closing ceremony, diocesan postulator Fr John Hogan said: “We believe that Fr Willie’s life and death have immense importance for the Church. He is a good and holy model of the priestly life, and a sign of hope for those experiencing mental health difficulties, given his own experience of and recovery from a psychological breakdown in his youth.
“His desire to offer his life, penances and even his death in reparation for the sins of priests can resonate deeply with the Church today. His love and service of German soldiers offer an example of universal charity.
“Fr Willie can also be seen as a servant of peace and reconciliation and a model of true ecumenism.
“In many ways, his life and witness are more relevant to us now than they were 100 years ago.
“Over 3,000 pages of Fr Willie’s writings, together with historical and theological analyses and commentaries, have been gathered during the diocesan phase. We look forward to taking these documents to Rome next month as the next stage gets under way,” he concluded.
Patrick Kenny, president of the Father Willie Doyle Association, said: “Fr Willie’s cause for canonisation has been greeted with great enthusiasm, as evidenced by the large crowds attending today’s ceremony, including people who travelled from as far away as the United States.
“Since the process began, we have received requests for material about Fr Willie from across Ireland and many other countries, particularly in Europe and North and South America, and even in Asia. It is especially notable how strongly young people respond to the witness of his heroic life.
“Today marks an important milestone, but there is still a long road ahead. We look forward to introducing more people to Fr Willie’s powerful story in the years to come.”
Background
1. Willie Doyle was born in Dalkey, County Dublin in 1873, and entered the Jesuits in Rahan, Tullabeg, County Offaly in the Diocese of Meath in 1891. He served as chaplain in the 16th Irish Division of the British Army.
2. The diocesan stage was closed by Most Rev Dr Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath in the presence of several other bishops and dozens of priests. The final bundles of documents were sealed and prepared for delivery to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in November.
3. The last time a diocesan inquiry into a canonisation Cause was closed in Ireland was for Venerable Nagle in the mid-1980s.
4. The Father Willie Doyle Association is a lay initiative working towards the canonisation of Fr Willie Doyle, with the approval of the Irish Jesuit Province and of the Diocese of Meath, where it has the status of a Private Association of the Faithful. The association is the official actor for the cause. The actor for a cause is the one who formally petitions a bishop to open the cause and formally promotes and funds the process.
5. The homepage of the Father Willie Doyle Association and the official website for the cause is williedoyle.org. A full archive of resources and material on Fr Willie Doyle is available there.
6. The canonisation process can take many years. The first step is the diocesan investigation into the life and virtues of the Servant of God. Now that is complete, it proceeds to the Roman phase, where a panel of expert theologians will examine Fr Willie’s life and virtues.
If Fr Willie is found to have lived a life of heroic virtue, he will be granted the title Venerable, and can proceed to beatification and canonisation if the Vatican approves miracles following prayers through his intercession.
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