Canonisation Cause of Fr Willie Doyle SJ moves to Roman stage

The canonisation Cause of heroic First World War chaplain Father Willie Doyle SJ is to move to its Roman stage following the formal closing of the diocesan inquiry in Ireland next month.

The diocesan phase of the Cause will formally close at Solemn Vespers at 4pm on Sunday 18 October in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar. The ceremony will mark the completion of the Irish phase of the investigation, after which the extensive documentation and evidence gathered by the Diocese of Meath will be sent to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome.

Father Willie Doyle SJ was born in Dalkey, County Dublin, in 1873 and entered the Jesuits at Rahan, Tullabeg, County Offaly, in the Diocese of Meath in 1891. During the First World War he served as a military chaplain with the 16th (Irish) Division. He was killed in August 1917 while ministering to wounded soldiers.

Speaking on behalf of the Father Willie Doyle Association, its President Dr Patrick Kenny said, “We are very excited that Fr Willie’s Cause is proceeding to the next stage. We are particularly grateful to Bishop Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath, for his personal commitment to the Cause, and to all those who have worked tirelessly to bring it to this point, especially the members of the Theological and Historical Commissions and the Diocesan Tribunal.

“Letters and emails continue to come to us from people around the world who tell us that Father Willie’s heroic holiness has inspired their faith and, in some cases, encouraged vocations to the priesthood and religious life. His life and heroic death are a remarkable witness to what it means to live the Gospel. If canonised, Father Willie would become the first Irish-born person to be declared a saint since Saint Oliver Plunkett in 1975. But this Cause is ultimately about more than honouring one man.  We believe Father Willie’s life has a particular message for the Church and for Ireland today, and that promoting his example is itself an important work of evangelisation.”

Father John Hogan, Postulator for the Cause, said, “This is an important landmark in Father Willie’s Cause. Once the diocesan stage closes, the extensive material gathered during the inquiry will be sent to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome, and the Roman phase of the Cause will begin.

“This material will form the basis of the positio, the formal dossier examining Father Willie’s life, virtues and reputation for holiness. If the Church judges that Father Willie lived the Christian virtues to a heroic degree, and the Pope authorises the promulgation of the decree, he would be declared Venerable.

“A miracle attributed to his intercession would ordinarily then be required for beatification, followed by a further approved miracle for canonisation. I encourage people to pray through Father Willie’s intercession and, if they believe they have received a healing through his intercession, to report it to us as soon as possible.”

Referring to the ceremony in Mullingar on 18 October, Father Hogan said, “The formal closing of the diocesan inquiry is a significant moment in Father Willie’s Cause. It is believed to be the first time in at least 40 years that a canonisation Cause has formally closed in Ireland. I encourage people to come to the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar to witness this unique ceremony.”