A big man, a big smile

I liked Bishop Conway. I don’t know anyone who didn’t. This being an issue of The Catholic New World which contains many tributes to the archdiocesan vicar general who died Aug. 9, I suspect there’ll be a lot of similar comments.

I didn’t know him nearly as long—or as well—as most of the people you’ll find quoted in these pages. There are classmates (ordination class of 1960), colleagues from his long career at Catholic Charities and priests and laity throughout the archdiocese who worked with him.

But I liked Bishop Conway because I always got a straight answer. And a smile.

The straight answer is too rare in today’s world. And there are never enough smiles.

On the infrequent occasions when Cardinal George’s column didn’t appear in its usual spot on Page 3, it was Bishop Conway who most often filled the gap.

His most recent column, in the July 18 issue, spoke to a subject which was very much a part of his life: celebrating the diversity of our archdiocese while seeking its unity, both in life and in faith. Another column, just a year ago, recounted the struggles with his illness. It was a powerful testament to faith.

No doubt Bishop Conway’s appreciation of Chicago’s many faces and many cultures stemmed from his decades of contact with the poor, the disadvantaged and the dispossessed at Catholic Charities—which he served almost from his ordination, and was its administrator from 1983 to 1996.

Not many bishops begin their priestly careers as counselors. Too many of us in various forms of ministry quickly lose touch with those on the margins and in the shadows of life. Bishop Conway never did.

There are many stories about Bishop Conway. It won’t hurt to add a few more.

One goes like this: when he was informed that he would be appointed a bishop, he wondered aloud to a friend whether he could succeed in that role. After all, he mused, because of his years at Catholic Charities he hadn’t spent very much time doing parish work.

Don’t worry, the friend assured him. His intimate connection with the poorest of the poor from all cultures and from all walks of life made him the very best choice to be a bishop.

Michelle Martin, who wrote the stories about the bishop’s death, recounts other tales, including one where he helped “rescue” a couple struggling to help an elderly woman into her wheelchair. What she doesn’t share, however, is her own “rescue.”

It happened like this: A few years ago, Martin was at an event where Bishop Conway also was when she discovered she’d left her wallet at home. Without cash she wouldn’t be able to get her car out of the parking lot. Without missing a beat, Bishop Conway slipped her a $20 bill.

And yes, she paid him back.

Bishop Conway also was a supporter of the Catholic press in general, and The Catholic New World in particular. But no, he didn’t make it easy. You see, that’s where the straight answer comes in.

Coincidentally in this issue of TCNW the cardinal’s official appointments (Page 10) names several priests to a committee called “Sharing Good News.” Over the next two years that committee will guide development of both The Catholic New World and Chicago Catolico and seek ways to increase their presence among Catholics in Cook and Lake counties

Bishop Conway encouraged the creation of that committee, and named Bishop Listecki to chair it, because he understood the value and need for communications to link us all together as Catholics, as believers. I’m sure this will be one of his many legacies.

Bishop Conway was a big man, physically. His size alone could have given him an overpowering presence. But that wasn’t really necessary. His smile accomplished much more.

Tom Sheridan
Editor and General Manager

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