Bishop O’ Donnell dies at the age of 77
By Joshua R. LeBlanc • Feb 13th, 2009 • Category: Church Life
On Tuesday I have the privilege of attending the funeral of His Excellency, the Most Reverend Edward J. O’ Donnell. Bishop O’ Donnell was Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese of Lafayette and retired as Bishop of this diocese in 2002 due to health reasons.
Bishop O’Donnell was bishop whenever I entered St. Joseph Seminary college back in 1998 and I can truly say that I’m grateful to him for allowing me to enter the seminary – it has changed my life for the better. Bishop O’Donnell was eulogized as being a man who was focused on others rather than himself . He didn’t believe in living a life of luxury. I can still remember him driving around Lafayette in his Subaru hatchback. I say I had the privilege of attending his funeral because indeed he was my spiritual father- not only as a seminarian but as a lay person living in his diocese.
I think too often we neglect in looking up to our bishops as our spiritual fathers but are rather more often concerned with judging and condeming them. Just as we all are, bishops are human and have their faults and Bishop O’Donnell was certainly no exception. Despite this failings he was a man who was concerned with the people whom God gave him to Shepherd. Requiescat in Pace Your Excellency.
Joshua R. LeBlanc is Joshua is the co-founder and president of cyberCatholics.com , a 100% Catholic webhosting service. Joshua is also the founder of DefendingCatholicTruth.com, a site dedicated to explaining the Catholic faith by providing solid Catholic resources to those searching for the Truth of Jesus Christ and His Church. You can read more about Josh by reading his biography.
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