Capuchin Franciscan Father William Graham remembered for pastoral presence to those seeking annulments

When Capuchin Franciscan Father William Graham arrived for his first day at the Tribunal of the Province of Baltimore in 2009 – a ministry that primarily serves those seeking annulments – he had one simple question.

“Can we make this a fun place to work?”

According to Father John “Jack” Ward, who served alongside him in the tribunal, Father Graham accomplished exactly that.

“He was always happy, pleasant,” said Father Ward, now retired. “He never had a bad thing to say about anybody. His absence was obvious when he left.”

Father Graham died July 5 at St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh. He was 79.

He had served in the Baltimore tribunal for 13 years before advancing Parkinson’s disease required more extensive medical care, prompting his move to St. Augustine Friary in 2022.

After arriving in Baltimore and taking residence at St. Ambrose Friary in Park Heights, Father Graham was appointed interim judicial vicar for the Tribunal of the Province of Baltimore. His responsibilities included overseeing annulments and causes for sainthood, and he also served as the archbishop’s delegate for marriage dispensations and marriage delegation.

Father Ward said Father Graham had a gift for putting people at ease, helping them approach what could be an intimidating process with hope rather than fear.

“He was always happy to talk to them and explain the process,” Father Ward said. “It was his greatest asset. He was very good with people. Nothing was too much trouble for him.”

Teresa Ewen, an ecclesiastical notary for the tribunal, also remembered Father Graham for his kindness.

“He was very pastoral to many of our clients here,” she said. “He was very good. He was a positive influence for a lot of folks here.”

While in Baltimore, Father Graham assisted with celebrating Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and served as a spiritual adviser to many men preparing for the permanent diaconate, including Deacon Sean Keller. The two worked together when Father Graham served as temporary administrator of the Baltimore Basilica, where Deacon Keller serves.

“To me, he really personified…the face of Christ. That is the best way to describe him,” Deacon Keller said. “He lived his vocation with respect and dignity. He lived out the Gospels, he really did.”

Deacon Keller said Father Graham made everyone feel valued, including the many people experiencing homelessness who approached him while he was serving at the basilica.

“I really try to model my own humility after his,” Deacon Keller said. “He personified all those virtues we all inspire to.”

Father Graham’s warm personality extended beyond ministry. A devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he and Deacon Keller once attended a Steelers-Ravens game together in Baltimore, with Father Graham wearing a custom Steelers jersey Deacon Keller designed featuring his name and the year of his priestly ordination.

“In the section, people were being very crass. They didn’t know he was a priest,” Deacon Keller said with a laugh. “He took it all in stride. He always had a smile.”

Born in Butler, Pa., Father Graham entered St. Fidelis Seminary in Herman, Pa., in 1960. He was invested as a Capuchin friar at St. Conrad Friary in Annapolis in August 1966 and professed his first vows in August 1967. He was ordained a priest in August 1972 at St. Fidelis Seminary, where his first assignment was as a vocation recruiter.

He later served in assignments in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. From 1992 to 2009, he was secretary of finances for the Province of St. Augustine, also serving as director of development and executive secretary.

Father Graham earned a master’s degree from Washington Theological Coalition in 1975 and pursued graduate studies in psychology at The Catholic University of America in Washington in 1981. He later completed the requirements for his licentiate in canon law there in 2001.

According to an obituary provided by his religious community, Father Graham was elected as a Jimmy Carter delegate from Pennsylvania to the 1976 Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He also appeared as an extra in the 1992 film “Lorenzo’s Oil,” which was filmed in Pittsburgh. Throughout much of his adult life, he enjoyed cultivating orchids.

Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Father Graham continued serving as long as he was able.

“He never felt sorry for himself. He dealt with it,” Deacon Keller said. “He was very beloved by the basilica. When he retired, people were saddened.”

A public visitation and viewing will be held July 24 at 7 p.m., followed by a wake service at 8:30 p.m., at St. Margaret of Cortona Chapel at St. Augustine Friary in Pittsburgh. A second visitation is scheduled for July 25 at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. and a repast in Hyacinth Epp Hall.

Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org

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