Among notable deaths this year was Father Clarence M. “C.M.” Trinkle, who made diocesan history by becoming its first consecrated hermit in 2018. Known as Father Joseph Mary of Jesus Crucified after his consecration as a hermit, he died April 4 at the age of 82. Father Trinkle also served as a priest in the diocese.
The Virginia native had been a priest since 1992 but told the Catholic Herald in a 2018 interview that he had felt a strong call to live as a hermit since he was 14. He lived as a hermit in West Virginia and then on the grounds of St. Dominic’s Monastery in Linden, home to a group of cloistered Dominican sisters, where he offered Mass and provided spiritual direction.
But it wasn’t until after his retirement that he became consecrated, professing vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to Bishop Michael F. Burbidge in St. Dominic’s monastery chapel. “I’m a modern-day version of a desert hermit,” he said in 2018. “I just love doing what I’m doing, and I am so grateful to Bishop Burbidge.”
After graduating from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., he served at St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax during his diaconate and was ordained by Bishop John R. Keating May 16, 1992. He served as parochial vicar at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale (1992-96), parochial vicar of St. Peter Mission in Washington (1996-97) and administrator of Our Lady of the Shenandoah Mission in Basye in 2000, where he served for three years before retiring after a medical leave.
— CATHOLIC HERALD
Vicki Thorn, Project Rachel founder
MILWAUKEE — Vicki Thorn, founder of the abortion healing ministry Project Rachel, died unexpectedly April 20. Thorn was 72.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki said her life and work stand “as a living testimony to an unwavering and unconditional defense of life at all stages, and to the mercy of God’s love.” The Catholic Herald, Milwaukee’s archdiocesan newspaper, reported that she died of a heart attack.
Thorn, a certified trauma counselor and spiritual director, created an abortion healing ministry at a time when none existed. Now overseen by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Project Rachel is a diocesan-based network of specially trained priest confessors, mental health professionals, spiritual directors and others who provide ongoing, confidential care.
Thorn started Project Rachel in 1984 while working in the Respect Life Office of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The first training workshop for a small group of attendees was held Sept. 19, 1984.
— CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Pro-life advocate Deirdre McQuade
HYATTSVILLE, Md. — Longtime pro-life advocate Deirdre McQuade, who for more than a decade shared perspectives of U.S. bishops’ and the Catholic Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life, died April 21 after a bout with metastatic breast cancer. She was 53.
From 2005 to 2018, as assistant director for pro-life communications at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, McQuade spoke at numerous events, offering views on palliative care, abortion and alternatives to physician-assisted suicide.
Friends recalled McQuade as someone whose strong faith helped her staunchly uphold the value of human dignity in her work.
Her parents, P.J. and Genevieve McQuade, are members of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Fredericksburg.
— CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
Oblate Father John M. O’Neill, former pastor of OLGC
Oblate Father John M. O’Neill, former pastor and parochial vicar of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Vienna, died July 9 at age 77. He was a member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province for 57 years. He retired from active ministry in 2017.
Father O’Neill also served at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria and St. Paul VI Catholic High School when it was in Fairfax.
— CATHOLIC HERALD
Fr. Kenneth Doyle, ‘Question Corner’ columnist
ALBANY, N.Y. — Father Kenneth Doyle, who wrote the popular Catholic News Service “Question Corner” column for the last 11 years, died Oct. 28 at age 82 at Teresian House in Albany.
Ordained in 1966 for the Diocese of Albany, Father Doyle also had been assistant editor and then editor of The Evangelist, the diocesan newspaper, before becoming bureau chief for CNS in Rome. He was named director of media relations for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1984, chancellor of public information for the Albany Diocese and for many years pastor of Parish of Mater Christi in Albany.
“Father Ken served the people of our diocese and the Albany community in many ways throughout his productive life, a man of great skill and talent,” Albany Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger said in a statement. “For most, however, he will be remembered as a pastor with a kindly heart.”
During his three years in CNS in Rome, 1981-84, Father Doyle covered papal events and Vatican activities for the news service’s subscribers in 40 nations. His assignments included traveling with St. John Paul II on several of his pastoral visits including his trips to West Africa, Great Britain, Switzerland and Poland.
— CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
