r/IrishHistory • u/CDfm • 5h ago

An Irish Jesuit known for practical jokes and wartime heroism is on the path to sainthood

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2023/08/16/willie-doyle-jesuit-ireland-canonization-245877/
71 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

11

u/YorkshireDrifter 3h ago

Catholic chaplains have always held a reputation far beyond their nominal role, rank or indeed their religion in such an Anglican institution as the British Army.. Fr.Doyle personified the role but I can easily name others by of similar ilk in all the services and Britain's prisons, all mastering with similar devotion and authority. When canonised, as * hope that he will be, his will be an elevation for them all.

2

u/CDfm 2h ago

Yes . His was a selfless act.

You mention others.

Care to expand ?

6

u/gadarnol 4h ago

Interesting case for sainthood. The Jesuit reluctance to support his cause initially may prove more difficult to set aside as the case progresses. Undoubtedly a brave man. The RC chaplains attracted admiration from the British in WW2 as well: there is an interesting distinction drawn between them and local diocesan clergy around Derry by senior RN personnel in “Convoy Escort Commander” by Peter Gretton.

2

u/BeanoMc2000 3h ago

The initial reluctance was financial. The article explains the order had another priest put forward at the same time so they put their resources into his cause. It seems a purely practical decision.

4

u/gadarnol 3h ago

*nods in agreement with mental reservation

3

u/CDfm 2h ago

Fingers crossed.

1

u/fartingbeagle 42m ago

Those devil's advocates don't come cheap !

3

u/CDfm 4h ago edited 4h ago

Jesuits are brainy priests from good backgrounds.

Henry VIII wasn't a fan of the jesuits .

He did minister to everyone and did not restrict himself to Irish Catholics or indeed his own side. I'd expect the Jesuits to be cautious in a "devils advocate " way too.

6

u/CDfm 5h ago

Catholic Chaplains were a big thing.

In the Mexican American War an issue was that the Catholics didn't have access to chaplains of their faith.

1

u/PeggyOnThePier 1h ago

Yes and they were discriminated against the not allowed to go to Mass. That's why so many Catholics soldiers changed sides in that war. Mostly Irish they had there own Belgrade the St Patrick's Belgrade

1

u/Taxfan 1h ago

Almost as nice as St Patrick’s Zagreb