William Francis Nerin

Back in 1968, William was filmed in an NBC documentary, the "New American Catholic." I was only 10 years old at the time, living in St. Paul, the Archdiocese in which then-Bishop James Shannon was an auxiliary bishop and an important voice of the Second Vatican Council's reforms. Bishop Shannon left the episcopacy and priesthood when it became clear Vatican II was being shortcircuited by more conservative (and a decidedly small) element in the Catholic Church. I wonder how much further we...

My sincere condolences to family and loved ones. He was a kind man.
I learned about Bill through a very close friend who was named after him. My friend was abopted as a baby by a family that was close to Bill when Bill was a priest in their parish. It was a miracle that they were able to adopt the baby so quickly. My friend was given the name, “Lance Nerin Allen” and I believe that Bill performed his baptism. I contacted Bill and let him know of my friend wanting to know of his birth...

Bill was a wonderful guy. Always a smile and full of positive enthusiasm, insight, compassion, and humor. I knew him through Virginia Satir's Avanta Network. The world will miss his living presence.