Fr. Willie Doyle, SJ: A Brave Soldier Who Was Merry In God.

Father Willie Doyle, S.J.

Illustration: CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

Fr. Willie Doyle, SJ:

A Brave Soldier Who Was Merry In God.

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William Joseph Gabriel Doyle, MC (3 March 1873 – 16 August 1917), better known as Willie Doyle, was an Irish Roman Catholic Priest, who was killed in action while serving as a Military Chaplain to The Royal Dublin Fusiliers during The First World War.[1]

Doyle was born in Dalkey, Ireland, the youngest of seven children of Hugh and Christine Doyle (née Byrne).[1] He was educated at Ratcliffe College, Leicester.[2]

After reading Saint Alphonsus’ book, “Instructions And Consideration On The Religious State”, he was inspired to enter the Priesthood; he initially studied at Clonliffe College before 1891, when he entered Saint Stanislaus Tullabeg College,[3] and was an Ordained Jesuit Priest in 1907.[4] He served for five years on The Mission Staff.

Doyle served in the The Royal Army Chaplains’ Department of The British Army during The First World War, appointed as a Chaplain to The 48th Brigade of The 16th Irish Division.[4]

During The Battle of Loos, Doyle was caught in a German gas attack and for his conduct was Mentioned in Dispatches.[5]

A recommendation for a Military Cross was rejected as “he had not been long enough at The Front”.[5] Doyle was presented with “The Parchment of Merit” of The 49th (Irish) Brigade, instead. He was killed in The Battle of Langemarck, on 16 August 1917.[6]

General William Hickie, Commander-in-Chief of The 16th (Irish) Division, described Father Doyle as “one of the bravest men who fought or served out here.”[5]

Father Doyle’s body was never recovered, but he is Commemorated at Tyne Cot Memorial.[1]

Father Doyle was proposed for Canonisation in 1938, but this was not followed through.[2] His papers can be found in the Jesuit archives, Leeson Street, Dublin.[2]

A Stained-Glass Window, dedicated to his memory, is present in Saint Finnian’s Church, Dromin, County Louth, Ireland.

Despite his troubled relationship with The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, Irish author and playwright Brendan Behan is known to have always felt a great admiration for Father William Doyle. He praised Father Doyle in his 1958 Memoir “Borstal Boy”. Also, Alfred O'Rahilly’s biography of the fallen Chaplain is known to have been one of Behan’s favourite books.[7]

Irish folk singer Willie “Liam” Clancy was named after him due to his mother’s fondness for Doyle, although they never met.[8]

Doyle was awarded The Military Cross for his bravery during the assault on the village of Ginchy, during the The Battle of The Somme in 1916.[1][5]

He was also posthumously recommended for both The Victoria Cross and The Distinguished Service Order,[9] but was awarded neither.[2]

According to Patrick Kenny, anti-Catholicism may have played a role in The British Army’s decision not to grant Father Doyle both awards.[10]

In August 2022, The Father Willie Doyle Association was established to petition The Catholic Church to introduce a cause for Canonisation for Doyle.

In January 2022, “The Supplex Libellus”, the formal petition, was presented to Bishop Thomas Deenihan.

Having consulted with the Irish Bishops’ Conference and The Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, Deenihan issued an edict on 27 October 2022 announcing the opening of a Cause.

The opening session is due to take place on 20 November 2022 at The Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, Ireland.