Father William O’Malley, a theology teacher at the Jesuit high school, Fordham Prep has been let go due to his old-school style which school administrators felt was out of date.
O’Malley, known to horror fans for his role in the controversial 1973 horror movie, had taught at the school for the past 20 years.
Father Kenneth Boller, president of Fordham Prep, told the New York Post “Father O’Malley’s style was probably more abrasive than we are used to and something we discussed with the principal over the years."
O’Malley taught “The Problem of God/Morality/Marriage” at Fordham. In the past he was also an associate professor of theology at Fordham University.
“He has a somewhat confrontational style, and the times change and the [teaching] styles change.”
He continued, “His effectiveness, in view of the principal, has diminished. We thought it was time for him to end his career on an up note after completing a successful year.”
The 80-year-old priest played the role of Father Joe Dyer in “The Exorcist” and also acted as a technical advisor on the movie.
As well as his foray into acting, O’Malley has directed 99 plays and musicals. He has also published 37 books including “Choosing to Be Catholic”, “Why Be Catholic?”, “God: The Oldest Question”, “Meeting the Living God”, “Building Your Own Conscience”, “The Fifth Week” and “Help My Unbelief”.
Here’s the trailer for the 1973 movie “The Exorcist”:
13 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Woodman | Jul 03, 2012, 11:21 PM EDT
This O'Malley priest was not "gay" enough for the today's Jesuits.
Woodman | Jul 03, 2012, 11:19 PM EDT
Retire? The poor guy was only 80 years old. This story is truly shocking. Irish Central has done it again.
Tudovich | Jul 03, 2012, 06:40 PM EDT
I wouldn't be able to say as I do not know anything about the situation at Fordham but it is very odd that they do it publicly. I would be nice to hear a current students opinion. Just to be clear, I have nothing but positive memories of Fr. O'Malley
McNamara31 | Jul 03, 2012, 02:28 PM EDT
Tudovich What do you think could have been Fordham's real motivation? Something is not "right" with this story.
Tudovich | Jul 03, 2012, 02:15 PM EDT
Fr. O'Malley also taught at McQuaid Jesuit HS prior to Fordham. He helped me achieve an education that I continue to appreciate to this very day. He challenged his students to be their best and prepared them for the next steps in their lives.
CitizenWhy | Jul 03, 2012, 12:08 PM EDT
In my Jesuit high school I had a priest teacher who actually was an exorcist. He was humble and kind and of deep conviction. We, who liked to be wise guys, were calm, respectful and cooperative in his class.
Beedee | Jul 03, 2012, 08:30 AM EDT
What did he do wrong? How was he abrasive in his style of teaching? This has been a situation where the entire World is capable of learning that the Catholic Church is one eyed in it's attitude. OK, the man is 80 yrs old, and probably past the age of retirement. 'Removing' him has been well publicised and reasons given. What about the paedophiles that have been moved from Parish to Parish, without reasons given, and allowed the freedom to sexually abuse even more children unchecked?
Seanmor | Jul 03, 2012, 03:40 AM EDT
Coult it be that this dedicated priest lacked political correctness in the eyes of his 'progressive' superiors?
irishpjk | Jul 02, 2012, 07:20 PM EDT
Thanks Father and may God bless you and leave you with us for many more years. Better to be right alone than wrong with a thousand others.
Nicoletta | Jul 02, 2012, 03:12 PM EDT
Deo Gratias for you Fr O'Malley. You will get your reward in heaven.
ttomosky | Jul 02, 2012, 02:47 PM EDT
Thank you for all you have done and God bless you, Father William O’Malley.
PhlutiePhan | Jul 02, 2012, 11:47 AM EDT
Joyce Kilmer was a member of the Fighting 69th and wrote about "trees and fools and God". I would say that all good priests are "fools before God" and "dial O for O'Malley" is just one more. Fordham Prep is on the campus of Fordham U in the midst of what looks like Ft. Apache the Bronx with walls and guards. No so long ago, I was on the campus and three security guards attempted to arrest me for terrorism for taking pictures of the beautiful campus. The head of security told me that they had been tipped that someone would come on to the campus from Playboy Magazine and take erotic photos in the cemetary of the Jesuits. I was alone. Father O'Malley could have been drummed out of the Prep with a band and accolades as he turned 80. Instead, the liberal agenda on campus had to make a point of humiliating as he crossed the threshold for the last time. He obviously antagonized someone high up for his stand in class on "Problems of God/Morality/Marriage". Does this really surprise anyone about the modern Jesuit and their philosophy of sex as a recreational tool? "Eyes right" for the type of priest who was an advisor on an event which happened in St. Louis and for his namesake which was used by Bing Crosby.
pilib04 | Jul 02, 2012, 11:14 AM EDT
80 years old and still teaching. Old school or not, I give him credit and kudos. I retired as a teacher when I was 65.