Maryknoll priest recalls life with talented, humble 'servant of God'

Published: 2006-06-20

MARYKNOLL, N.Y. (CNS) -- Maryknoll Father Dan Dolan remembers the colleague he called "Father Vince" as a very "focused and serious type" with "a unique combination of talent and modesty." Maryknoll Father Vincent Capodanno, whom Father Dolan met in 1959 when both were engaged in pastoral work in Taiwan, is now also called "servant of God." The title comes from the Vatican as Father Capodanno, killed in Vietnam in 1967 while serving the Marines as a chaplain, takes the first step toward sainthood. His cause for canonization was initiated by the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services in May. "I am not at all surprised at Father Vince's designation as servant of God in terms of his track record in his work as chaplain," said Father Dolan. Ordained to the priesthood June 14, 1958, Father Capodanno spent the first eight years of his priesthood as a missionary in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Dec. 28, 1965, he asked to serve with the Marines in Vietnam and joined the 1st Marine Division in 1966 as battalion chaplain.

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