Thomas J. Quinlan

Reverend Fr. Thomas J. Quinlan (born April 23, 1929) is a Roman Catholic priest of the Richmond diocese.

Career

Father Quinlan was ordained to the presbyterate on May 1, 1958, and was appointed priest at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria, Virginia. He subsequently served at:
*Sacred Heart Parish in Norfolk, Virginia
*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 Tekakwitha Parish in Tabb
*Holy Family in Virginia Beach

Father Quinlan was also the president of the priest senate in the Richmond diocese. [cite journal |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2005 |month= |title=Article |journal=The Catholic Virginian |volume=80 |issue=14 |pages= |id= |url= |accessdate= |quote= ]

Controversy

The Bishop of Richmond, The Most Reverend Francis DiLorenzo retired Father Quinlan in June, 2005. [cite journal |year=2005 |title=Letters |journal=The Catholic Virginian |volume=80 |issue=16] A Christmas Eve homily, which made references to Mary's birth canal, offended some members of the parish and was reported to Bishop DiLorenzo.

While Father Quinlan's homiletic language can described as "salty" or "earthy," there were some instances of avant garde liturgical celebrations. According to local newspapers, [cite news |first=Liz |last=Szabo |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Fool for Christ: Priest Whose Behavior Sometimes Shocks Brings His Unorthodox Ministerial Ways to Beach Church |url= |work=Virginian Pilot |publisher= |date=June 24, 2000 ] 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.

On 30 January 2006, "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.'"

References