Fr. William Joseph McClory, OP

Fr. William was an outstanding servant of the Western Dominican Province from his entry into the novitiate in 1912 until his death in 1972.  He is best remembered for his pioneering ministry as full-time chaplain to the Oregon State Penitentiary from 1951 until 1962.

Fr. William was born in Chicago, IL, and became acquainted with the Dominicans while a high school student in Seattle.  He completed his studies in Washington, D.C. and was ordained a priest in 1918.

He showed himself capable of leadership from very early on in his active ministry, and served as Novice Master in 1928 and 1929.  When Blessed Sacrament Vicariate was elevated to conventual status in 1931, he was appointed its first Prior, also serving in the role of Pastor until 1935.

Fr. William had a strong interest in public service.  During World War I, he functioned as an auxiliary in and around Washington, D.C., and during the Second World War he made great efforts to serve in the military chaplaincy, although he was unsuccessful, probably on account of poor health.

It was during his years at the Oregon State Penitentiary, however, that Fr. William truly flourished as a minister to society at large.  It may be that Fr. William's vocation took an unexpected turn at this point, for there is puzzling evidence in his letters from an earlier time that for many years Fr. William did not have much confidence in, for example, his own preaching abilities.  He wrote to his Prior Provincial, Fr. Benedict Blank, in 1940 "I am convinced that I am incapable of such a task as giving a retreat to the priests and brothers," and "I am not a preacher."   How striking it is, then, to consider these words from then Governor of Oregon Mark Hatfield, writing several years after Fr. William's retirement from the prison chaplaincy:

Father McClory was the first full-time chaplain to be employed by any of the state institutions...In a real sense the assignment of Father McClory marked a milestone in the religious program for state institutions...

Almost from the moment of taking up his duties, Father McClory made an indelible mark on the inmates of the penitentiary by contributing very materially to the ending of one of the worst hunger strikes ever experienced in that institution.

Thus, early in his assignment he endeared himself not only to the inmates but also to the officials in charge of that institution.  He was an inspiration not only to the wards but to all who came in contact with him.  He was always ready to assist his fellow chaplains regardless of their faith.

He ministered to whoever asked for help.  The denominational tag of the man made no difference to him.  Many a time I have seen a long line of men, each waiting his turn, to receive the wise counsel of this man.

His formal church services, likewise, were always fully attended with the congregation made up of all faiths.

He pioneered the idea of a penitentiary chapel as a separate building and hammered on this idea for several years until, finally, his idea and effort bore fruit.  Today we have a separate chapel at the penitentiary.

It is indeed difficult to adequately express the gratitude of the state to Father McClory.  He is not only always a welcome visitor to our institutions, but his very name is an inspiration to all...

How to explain this dramatic blossoming of Fr. William's vocation, from being a somewhat timid if dutiful servant of the Province's institutional ministries, to becoming at once a champion of the oppressed and a beloved servant of a major institution?  It appears first of all that he experienced a renewal in his spiritual life during these years, as he wrote to then Prior Provincial, Fr. Joseph Fulton, in 1954 after an especially powerful retreat:

...thank you for the wonderful gift of the retreat.  It has done more for me than anything I ever expected.  Grace no doubt was given and I hope I never lose it.  A new love and admiration for the Order which separation from the real community life has dimmed, has returned.  I don't think I can ever expect to make another retreat equal to this one.  You know, we who have been out on the firing line for many years have been forgotten in this matter.   We have been taken care of in every other way usually, but in this most important matter both for us and for the Order and the Province we have been neglected.  Thank God we can hope to work for God and at the same time get a little spirituality for ourselves.  This is the sentiment of all the fathers to whom I spoke at the retreat.   I think the Holy Name Province is experiencing a new birth which will bring forth new life among us.

It is also clear from his letters that Fr. William viewed his prison ministry as an especially fitting role for a Dominican, the kind which brings true inspiration both to the members of the Order and to those whom they serve.  Shortly before leaving his post at the penitentiary, he wrote to the new Prior Provincial, Fr. Joseph Agius:

When the opportunity was offered us by the Archbishop of Portland to take over the spiritual direction of men in our penal system, although I was aware of my own incapability, I offered to take the job for what it might mean to our Order and Province.  I saw an opportunity to get away from being mere helpers to secular priests as assistants on Sundays.  I saw the opportunity for us to get into the limelight in the way of public service.  Others, especially our friends the Jesuits never miss an opportunity like that...

Fr. William was zealous, then, for the growth of the Order, but it is clear that his heart was ultimately set on loving those whom Jesus calls "the least of my brethren."

Fr. William served in his final years at St. Benedict's Lodge in McKenzie, OR and at Blessed Sacrament in Seattle before his death in 1972.

Photo: Fr. William and friend

Photo: Youthful

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