Memorial Mass for Fr. William Shelley

There will be a Solemn Requiem Mass for the Month’s Mind of Fr. William Shelley at the Church of the Holy Innocents in Manhattan this Monday, January 21st, at 1:00 PM. Fr. Shelley’s funeral was celebrated on December 21st by His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Father William Shelley, who served at several parishes in the archdiocese and was a coordinator of the Courage program for Catholics with same-sex attractions, died Dec. 18 at the Mary Manning Walsh Home in Manhattan. He was 87.

He was pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Harlem, 1978-1979. He served as parochial vicar at St. Malachy’s, The Actors Chapel, 1959-1973; Our Lady Star of the Sea, Staten Island, 1957-1959; St. Martin of Tours, the Bronx, 1952-1957; and Good Shepherd, Rhinebeck, 1950-1952.
He was coordinator of the Courage program in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. Of his Courage ministry he wrote, “I was active as a priest here in Midtown for 16 years, 1986-1998, almost always helping at (Courage’s) weekly meetings these good people who have dedicated themselves to a wholesome, daily spiritual life.” He was also active in Operation Rescue, and was a frequent presence Saturdays praying at the Eastern Women’s abortion clinic on 30th Street.