Celebrity priest, Fr. Andrew Greely, RIP.

Fr. Greely died Wednesday, May 29, at the age of 85.

I never read his novels.

I never paid much attention to him.

I remember a nun telling me that he once said Madonna was attracting kids to the Church and devotion to the rosary.  She thought he was right and asked me what I thought and I said, "Could be.  Jesus Christ Superstar started the ball rolling for me."

I think he was said to have had all the dirt on the “Lavender Mafia” in the Church - files and names.  Will all of that come out now after his death? 

I noted he lived in the Hancock building in Chicago - I've always liked that tower.

Greeley's family issued a statement, noting his 59 years in the priesthood:

"Our lives have been tremendously enriched by having the presence of Fr. Andrew Greeley in our family. First and foremost as a loving uncle who was always there for us with unfailing support or with a gentle nudge, who shared with us both the little things and the big moments of family life. But we were specially graced that this man was also an amazing priest who recently celebrated the 59th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He served the Church all those years with a prophetic voice and with unfailing dedication, and the Church he and our parents taught us to love is a better place because of him. Our hearts are heavy with grief, but we find hope in the promise of Heaven that our uncle spent his life proclaiming to us, his friends, his parishioners and his many fans. He resides now with the Lord of the Dance, and that dance will go on." - Lifted from here.

May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.