As the people of the western vicariate continue to say their farewells to Bishop W. Francis Malooly, the boards he served on are scrambling to figure out how to replace him.
The longtime vicar served on the board of directors or trustees for Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore, St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park, and Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, among other organizations.
His colleagues in service say the mild-mannered bishop brought a quiet leadership and an ever-present Catholic consciousness to the boards. He was also uniformly praised for his consistent attendance at quarterly meetings.
“He was first of all, very loyal,” said Charles Bauermann, Good Samaritan board member. “Even though Good Samaritan was not in his vicariate, he was always faithfully committed to being at the meetings.”
Mr. Bauermann said Bishop Malooly always kept Good Samaritan focused on its goals of proving quality and compassionate care for its patients. At the same time, Mr. Bauermann said, Bishop Malooly had “a good business and organization acumen.”
The Archdiocese of Baltimore has not announced its intentions on filling Bishop Malooly’s spot at Good Samaritan.
“We’re going to miss his personality and friendship as much as anything,” Mr. Bauermann said. “We hope that even though he might be out of sight that we will see him soon. We thank God for his friendship.”
While some boards are looking for replacements, Mount St. Mary’s is looking at Bishop Malooly’s impending installation in Wilmington as a victory.
The school believes Bishop Malooly, who has been on the school’s board of directors for the last year, will remain with the school even as he moves to Delaware. Mount St. Mary’s attracts students primarily from Baltimore, Harrisburg, Pa., and Wilmington, so retaining Bishop Malooly is a coup for recruiting.
“It is a plus,” said Thomas G. O’Hara, the chairman of the school’s board of directors. “It’s a win-win. It’s great for us that he already has had direct exposure to Mount St. Mary’s.”
Like Mr. Bauermann, Mr. O’Hara said Bishop Malooly never forgot who he served.
“He always had a strong interest in the young men and women of the college,” Mr. O’Hara said. “The interesting thing about the bishop he is actually engaged with the young people. He would make recommendations for the school and to us. He would encourage students to come to the Mount.”
Bishop Malooly also helped the school maintain its roots as a religious institution.
Thomas Powell, Mount St. Mary’s president, said Bishop Malooly “has brought all of us to a greater appreciation of how important Catholic education is to society and to the church. He is a wonderful example of living the life of Christ from which we all could take a lesson.”