I recently fulfilled an invitation I had received from the parish of The Holy Name Catholic Church in Newcastle (England). Me being invited to speak on Catholic property anywhere is something not to be missed. It was the second time I had this type of opportunity since my silencing — the other one being in the U.S. eleven years ago. The parish priest in this parish, in the heart of Newcastle, is Michael Campion, a Kilkenny man, and a wonderful person.
Bishop Willie Walsh, or ‘Willie’ as we normally referred to him – he was the most unclerical of bishops – has died at the age of ninety, having lived a life in all its fullness. After his ordination in 1962 he studied Canon Law, something which hardly suited his flexible nature. The study of Church law can often have a substantial effect on a person, making them legalistic and somewhat rigid.
(A colleague sent this on to me; it is encouraging to hear that there are voices like this in the U.S. Church)
Most Rev. Daniel Thomas
Diocese of Toledo
1933 Spielbusch Avenue
Toledo, OH 43604
February 7, 2025
Dear Bishop Thomas,
I write to you today, in one sense, because I know of no perfect place to present my concerns, and you are the chief shepherd of our Church in northwest Ohio, a fellow laborer in the Lord’s vineyard, and a man who engenders my respect and loyalty.
