The
Catholic Weekly
Online
Sydney
1 February 2004
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Dunbar mystery unraveled
New school bid for ‘male-only’ offers
Twins among high achievers
Parents urged to read new books
Steps to safety
Priests honoured
Doing the Lord’s work
Religious named
Pregnant pause: To do or not to do? Oh, baby!
Insurance board post
Caring for needy
Lay Catholics
Editorial: True blue
Letters: Thanks to institute
Conversation: Mons Paul Ssegemogerere, vicar general of Kampala, Uganda - Helping his country tread the right path
Today – God’s gift to us all
Refugee children say ‘thanks’
Chinese community has much to celebrate
The stained-glass detective
Teacher, priest and puppeteer
Riding a wild horse ...
Up there, Ignatius!
Mates give Bulls’ groom Super send-off
Doing the Lord’s work
LOVED BY ALL: Former Waterloo parish priest Fr Victor Doyle with Fr John Knight (left) and Cardinal Edward Clancy
Veteran Sydney priest Fr Victor Doyle has “loved every parish I served in”.
And, according to friends and former parishioners, the feeling is mutual.
Fr Doyle, 83, is one of several priests honoured in the Australia Day honours.
The citation for his Order of Australia Medal reads: “For service to the community, particularly through the social welfare programs of the Catholic Church.”
Originally from Port Kembla, Victor Doyle was ordained into the priesthood at St Mary’s Cathedral on July 21, 1945, and spent 56 years in priestly service.
Fr John Knight, his successor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Waterloo, says Fr Doyle gave “exemplary service to the whole community regardless of profession, race or creed”.
He has had many parish appointments – Erskineville, Concord, and chaplain in the Royal Australian Army in National Service, Liverpool and was also chaplain to the Sydney Catholic Club for many years.
In 1956 he was appointed to the Scheyville processing facility where he spent six years welcoming ‘New Australians” and helping them to settle through employment and accommodation.
He then served as priest in charge of Pyrmont/Ultimo, where he was also chaplain to the Institute for Seamen.
In 1974 he was appointed parish priest at Waterloo, where he was to spend the next 26 years.
Fr Knight says that Fr Doyle, who now lives in retirement at the St John Vianney Villa, in Randwick, is the “quintessential priest” who is loved by all.
“He is a humble and generous man who would not have sought this or any other honour,” Fr Knight says.
“He is just happy doing what the Lord wants him to do.”
In a chaplain’s report to the Catholic Club some years ago Fr Doyle wrote: “I have always been at home in all my previous appointments.
“Even had I chosen them myself personally I could not have chosen them better.
“I have loved my life as a priest.”