Msgr. Charles Devlin, a priest for 54 years, dies at 81

THE REV. MSGR. Charles V. Devlin, a Roman Catholic priest for 54 years and former executive director of the Cardinal's Commission on Human Relations, died Monday of Burkitt lymphoma. He was 81.

He was born in Philadelphia to John F. Devlin and Veronica M. Hennessey. He attended La Salle College High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Devlin was ordained on May 19, 1955, by the Most Rev. John F. O'Hara at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul. He was named honorary prelate to Pope Paul VI in 1976, and protonotary apostolic in 2003.

He was named executive director of the Cardinal's Commission on Human Relations in 1973.

In 1982, he was appointed pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Philadelphia, where he served seven years.

In 1989, Devlin was appointed vicar of the Archdiocese's North Region, and in 1997 vicar for renewal and evangelization.

In December 2003, he was named director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

Through his career, Devlin was parochial vicar at St. Patrick Parish, Pottsville; St. Francis of Assisi, Norristown, and St. Bartholomew, in Philadelphia.

He is survived by nieces and nephews.

Services: Cardinal Justin Rigali will celebrate a funeral Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul at 11 a.m. Saturday. A viewing will begin at 9 a.m.

The service of the Transfer of the Body will be held at 4 p.m. today followed by a viewing at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Media. Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m.

Burial will be in St. John the Evangelist Parish Cemetery.