Saginaw Diocese's newest priest ordained at age 75

Published: 2007-12-21

LEXINGTON, Mich. (CNS) -- Returning to the priestly vocation he had set aside 50 years ago, Father William Spencer became the newest priest of the Saginaw Diocese Dec. 14 at age 75. The ordination date, the feast of St. John of the Cross, a Carmelite, was an appropriate one for Father Spencer, who had been active in the Third Order Carmelites along with his late wife, Peg. Father Spencer is believed to be the oldest person ordained in the United States in 2007, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' latest ordination report. A 68-year-old man was ordained earlier in the year. Father Spencer's three children -- Margaret Logan, Bill Spencer and Beth Gava -- and their spouses, his four grandchildren and a sister-in-law were among those who filled St. Denis Catholic Church in Lexington for his ordination by Saginaw Bishop Robert J. Carlson.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .