Church makes sainthood case for 'WW1 hero' priest

What the report says

The Catholic Church in Ireland is advancing the sainthood cause of Fr Willie Doyle, an Irish Jesuit priest and British Army chaplain who was killed in World War One while helping wounded soldiers. According to BBC News, a special service is being held in Mullingar Cathedral on Sunday, after which thousands of pages of supporting material will be sent to the Vatican for the next stage of the canonisation process.

Doyle served with the 16th (Irish) Division and was present at major battles including the Somme, Messines and Passchendaele. He died on 16 August 1917 after shellfire struck him while he was going to aid two injured Protestant soldiers. The church in Ireland describes him as an “ecumenical martyr of charity” because he is said to have ministered to soldiers of different Christian denominations. The BBC also reports that he received the Military Cross for bravery and was mentioned in despatches.

The campaign is being led by the Fr Willie Doyle Association, a Dublin-based group founded by Patrick Kenny, with support from church authorities. The Diocese of Meath has already completed a diocesan inquiry, including theological and historical reviews of Doyle’s life and writings. Bishop Tom Deenihan said the case reflects values that still speak to the present, while family members are expected to attend the ceremony. Canonisation remains a long process and the current step does not mean sainthood has been approved.