Cardinal John Krol talks with Augustinian Father William Atkinson before his ordination as a priest in 1974. (Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center: Robert and Theresa Halvey Photograph Collection)
The re-airing of “extraORDINARY: The Father Bill Atkinson, O.S.A. Story” on Philadelphia’s WHYY PBS station happens this Sunday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. It may also be accessed live here.
The half-hour program celebrates the life of Augustinian Father William Atkinson (1946-2006).
Despite a horrendous accident as a young seminarian, he went on to be the first quadriplegic man ever ordained to the priesthood. He followed this with an inspirational three-decade teaching career at his alma mater, Msgr. Bonner High School.
A cause for his potential canonization was opened in Philadelphia by Archbishop Charles Chaput in September 2015. Father Bill now has the title “Servant of God,” the first step on the road to formal sainthood.
Read more about him and the making of the documentary film here.
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