Thomas J. Quinlan
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Reverend Fr. Thomas J. Quinlan (born April 23, 1929) is a Roman Catholic priest of the Richmond diocese. He is the oldest of ten children. Ordained to the presbyterate on May 1, 1958, he was appointed priest at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria. He subsequently served at Sacred Heart Parish in Norfolk, Sacred Heart Parish in Covington, St. Vincent de Paul in Newport News, Good Shepherd in Alexandria, Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk, Resurrection Parish in Portsmouth, Blessed Kateri Tekawitha Parish in Tabb, and Holy Family in Virginia Beach. Father Quinlan also was the president of the priest senate in the Richmond diocese.[1] The Bishop of Richmond, Msgr. Francis DiLorenzo forcibly retired Fr. Quinlan in June, 2005. [2] A Christmas Eve homily, which made references to Mary's birth canal, apparently were offensive some members of the parish; and were reported to Bishop DiLorenzo.
While Father Quinlan's homiletic language can described as "salty" or "earthy," there were some instances of avant guarde liturgial celebrations. According to local newspapers, Father Quinlan rode a motorcycle down the aisle during a Palm Sunday procession at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. He occasionally costumed himself as the Grinch or a superhero at the beginning of a Mass. Another endeavor included a psychedelic Mass with lighting effects.
As of 1/30/06, "The Catholic Virginian" (the official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond), printed the following regarding Fr. Quinlan:
"Rev. Thomas Quinlan, a retired priest of the Diocese of Richmond, can no longer celebrate the sacraments publicly. He can celebrate Mass privately. Bishop DiLorenzo said he took this action as a response to Father Quinlan's behavior that has 'engendered anxiety and emotional upset which interferes with an individual's religious experience.'"
[edit] References
"Fool for Christ: Priest Whose Behavior Sometimes Shocks Brings His Unorthodox Ministerial Ways to Beach Church" by Liz Szabo, Virginian Pilot, Saturday, June 24, 2000.
As of 1/30/06, "The Catholic Virginian" (the official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond), printed the following regarding Fr. Quinlan:
"Rev. Thomas Quinlan, a retired priest of the Diocese of Richmond, can no longer celebrate the sacraments publicly. He can celebrate Mass privately. Bishop DiLorenzo said he took this action as a response to Father Quinlan's behavior that has 'engendered anxiety and emotional upset which interferes with an individual's religious experience.'" Since Bishop DiLorenzo's appointment to Richmond, many "progressive" priests have retired.
