It is with great joy that we welcome today’s announcement from Bishop Tom Deenihan of the Diocese of Meath that he intends of open the canonisation cause of the Servant of God Fr Willie Doyle SJ! Bishop Deenihan’s official edict is below. 

The Father Willie Doyle Association is the official Actor for Fr Willie’s Cause. There is much work ahead. We need your help. Please pray for Fr Willie’s Cause.  Pray for the sick through Fr Willie’s intercession. Please spread devotion to him. And, if you can, please consider a donation to the Association – we must pay the many expenses inherent in a canonisation cause. https://williedoyle.org/donate/

The text of our press release is below.

Opening of the process to make famous WW1 chaplain a saint

Opening ceremony in Christ the King Cathedral Mullingar, November 20 at 5.00pm.

27 October 2022.

For immediate release.

The Father Willie Doyle Association has warmly welcomed the decision of the Most Reverend Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath, to open the canonisation cause of World War 1 Jesuit chaplain Fr Willie Doyle.

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 1930’s 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.”

The Association also today announced the appointment of Fr John Hogan of the Diocese of Meath as diocesan postulator for the Cause. Speaking about Fr Willie’s Cause, Fr Hogan said: “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. 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.”

Ends.