By Gary Soulsman
The News Journal
July 8, 2008
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/NEWS/807080331
Oldest of four kids, the bishop wanted to be priest in 5th grade
It was a devout mother, father and uncle who inspired the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington, W. Francis Malooly, to become a Catholic priest.
And his sister, Martha Hackman of Baltimore, predicts that members of the Delaware's largest faith will be pleased at how her brother lives his calling.
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| Archbishop of Baltimore William H. Keeler (left), walks with his then-newly appointed bishop, the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, in December 2002. |
"He's been a great brother and priest," she said.
Their father was a chemist, their mother a homemaker. "Fran," as he is known, is the oldest of the four kids.
The children, who grew up in the northern Baltimore suburb of Parkville, attended Catholic school and weekly Mass. By fifth grade, Malooly wanted to be a priest.
The move to priesthood would make use of his sense of humor -- what he's called his "Irish blarney" -- and belief in the gospel.
When he graduated from what is now St. Mary's Seminary and University in the city, he was ordained in 1970 by his uncle, the late Bishop T. Austin Murphy, and served his first 10 years in parish ministry.
"Over the years I think Fran has shown himself to be a wonderful communicator," said Hal Smith, head of Catholic Charities in the archdiocese and a longtime colleague.
But Malooly confessed it did not come easy. He's tells the story that in his early years, a parishioner let him know he was bored by picking up the Sunday funnies when he began a homily. So began devoting up to 15 hours a week on a sermon.
He's joked that it took him 31 years to learn how to be a proper priest, and then he had to give it up and become a bishop in March 2001.
In 1980, he began a series of administrative posts, among them running a youth retreat house, and eventually taking responsibility for much of the daily running of the archdiocese as chancellor and vicar general. In recent years, he's been auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese, overseeing operations in the western Maryland counties where there are 38 parishes and six missions.
And he was there in 2002 when the Archdiodese's Cardinal William H. Keeler released the names of 57 priests with credible charges of sexual abuse against them. For Malooly, talking over this issue with parishioners was one of the most difficult times of his ministry. He said those conversations still need to occur.
Overall, he said, he's had so many experiences and is so familiar with the region that he expects "a fairly early learning curve" after his September installation.
He joked that, if things went really well, he would consider moving the bishop's residence to Bethany Beach.
Contact Gary Soulsman at 324-2893 or gsoulsman@delawareonline.com
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