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The Most Reverend Walter F. Sullivan, D.D.
Richmond - SULLIVAN, The Most Rev. Walter F., D.D., Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, died on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at the age of 84. Bishop Sullivan was born on June 10, 1928, in Washington, D.C., to Walter Francis Sullivan and Catherine Vanderloo. He was educated at Blessed Sacrament in Washington, D.C., St. Charles College in Cantonsville, Maryland, and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. Bishop Sullivan was ordained to the priesthood on May 9, 1953, in Richmond, Virginia. He studied canon law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and received his degree in 1960. He became Secretary of the Diocesan Tribunal in May of that year. The then Father Sullivan was named Chancellor of the Diocese in February, 1965, and Rector of the Cathedral in October of 1967. He was ordained an auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese on December 1, 1970, and was installed as the Bishop of the newly redrawn Diocese of Richmond on July 19, 1974. His pastoral assignments in the Diocese of Richmond included, Associate pastor at St. Andrew's Parish in Roanoke and St. Mary's Parish in Fort Monroe (Hampton), and rector and pastor at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, Virginia. Bishop Sullivan served on the boards of the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy in Washington, D.C., the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and on numerous diocesan boards. He has been on the boards of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities, the Christian Children's Fund based in Richmond, the Catholic Committee of Appalachia and on the Administrative Board of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Likewise, he served as the Bishop-President of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement. He was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Gaw of Gaithersburg, Md., and is survived by his sisters, Kathleen McGowan of Richmond, Va., and Betty Hughes of Rockville, Md., and their families. Bishop Sullivan's body will lie in state at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 800 South Cathedral Place, beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18, with the Office of the Dead being prayed at 6:30 p.m. in the presence of the Ecumenical Community and all who wish to attend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 19 in the Cathedral with Entombment following in the Cathedral Crypt. Please remember Bishop Sullivan and his family in your prayers.
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He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.
Lesa Terry
December 19, 2012
Dear Friend
I can not be there today to say good by. But You know how I feel. Vi and I love you and will miss you so very much. Everyday you will be in our prayers and until we meet again.
Vi and Paul Sulzberger
December 19, 2012
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.(Isaiah 40:11) You will forever be our Bishop and Shepherd. May you now rest in peace. +
December 17, 2012
I had the privilege of knowing Bishop Sullivan and was truly saddened to hear of his passing. I know he is with Jesus because he was a true servant of our Lord and he will not be forgotten. I will especially remember him for his care and love of prisoners, especially those on Death Row. My sympathies to his family.
Mary Schleeper
December 17, 2012
May his spirit live on in our church. Thank you for your friendship and care
Live now in peace!
Dan and Elizabeth Ann Mannen
December 16, 2012
We met shortly before Vatican II. He was a visionary then as through his life.
I was proud to share his first name and the Faith he lived so full.
May he truly know the Peace he envisioned for so long!
Walter Hoag
December 15, 2012
"Well done thy good and faithful servant"
The Johnson family
December 15, 2012
May the God of all comfort be with the Sullivan family in the days ahead.
December 15, 2012
It's a mighty body of work for the Lord that Bishop Sullivan leaves behind him. May he continue to live through those works, and may God be good to him.
Sharon Chang
December 14, 2012
I feel truly blessed to have met the beloved and ever gracious Bishop Sullivan as a parishioner of his retirement parish, St. Paul's. Also, I am joyful that he now is in the immediate presence of Our Lady and the Savior.
Brinda George
December 14, 2012
I was a student at Roanoke Catholic when Bishop had his first assignment at St. Andrew's. I always knew what a good, caring person he was.
Bonnie Neuhoff
December 14, 2012
The Most Reverend Walter Sullivan may you rest in peace.Amen.For the family we offer many prayers and great memories of the Bishop.A wonderful Crusader for peace and justice.The leader of our diocese in caring out the meanings of VaticanII.Lord thank you for having our family share many special times with the Bishop.
The Dozier Family
December 14, 2012
To the Sullivan family I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy. Bishop Sullivan truly lived and exhibited a life of love for all people and our Catholic Church. Truly his life lived speaks of him. Rest in peace Bishop and take your rest.
W Shelton
December 13, 2012
Bishop Sullivan will be missed. He visited my Parish, Holy Rosary Catholic Church often and he confirmed my son, James. He had a sense of humor. Rest In Peace.
Mary Woodley
December 13, 2012
When he was Rector of the Cathedral, Monsignor Sullivan helped guide me in my vocation to become a Franciscan Friar (and later a priest). He was a kind and gentle man, and a good friend. Thank you, Bishop Sullivan.
Fr. Pio O'Connor, OFM
December 13, 2012
There is a rent in the tapestry of the soul of the world with the loss of this gentle, passionate, giant of a man. His presence among us inspired moral courage and by his example, he taught us the true meaning of justice and respect for all in life. May his soul now rest in the perfect peace he so faithfully championed, embraced in the fullness of God's love and ours. We give thanks for the gift of his life, and for the blessing it was and will remain for so many.
December 13, 2012
Memory Eternal Bishop Sullivan. I have so many memories of all of Bishop Sullivan's kindnesses to me when I was part of the Cathedral Parish in the late 60's and early 70's. I saw so many gifts of Christian love for all no matter who they might be or whether they be rich or poor. He truly lived out his motto "to unite all in Christ" "Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the rest prepared for you" I will miss you!
Stuart Loughborough
December 13, 2012
God ble
You have been an inspiration to so many souls. God rest yee merry gentleman. Your wit and wisdom will be missed by many.RIP.
Joe Carbone
December 13, 2012
God rest yee merry gentleman. Your presence in this world has made a holy difference. May you rest in eternal peace. God Bless!
December 13, 2012
Thank you for all that you have done. God bless you Bishop Sullivan. I know that you will pray and watch over all of us.
Wayne Thomas
December 13, 2012
I send m condolences to the Sullivan family and friends. May the God of comfort be with you. 1 John 4:8
December 13, 2012
Were are deeply saddened to hear of Bishop Sullivan's death. He gave me instruction in the Catholic faith and presided at the mass and wedding vows that united Katherine and I in marriage forty-nine years ago. We had hoped he would be available to be part of our fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration next year. His counsel and friendship will be greatly missed.
James and Katherine Newton
December 13, 2012
Thank you God for all your priests - especially this one! What a blessing he was to us all. Peace be with you Bishop Sullivan.
A Sheep
December 13, 2012
No matter where he saw me, he always remembered who I was and what I did. Emmanuel T. Barks
December 12, 2012
Thank you, Bishop Sullivan, for all the good work you have done to build up the Church of Richmond. Your death is truly the end of an era. May all of us respect and continue to build on your legacy.
Mark Hoggard
December 12, 2012
Thank you Bishop Sullivan for trying to keep the spirit of Vatican II alive. You really inspired me in so many ways. Sr. Brenda Gonzales, SCN
Brenda Gonzales
December 12, 2012
A good man has transcended to receive a greater reward than this world could ever offer him. I am honored to have known him and loved him, not only as his employee, but as his friend.
Etta Shepperd
December 12, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
EG
December 12, 2012
God Bless you Father
Bob Foss
December 12, 2012
What a remarkable, gutty man.
Pete Beyer
December 12, 2012
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