[HairyGrape]

Interesting story.

[Tiffany32]

...me thinks it was a ghost priest

[DEWBZ]

it was the anti christ

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by Tiffany32 ↗

Thanks for the download, Tiffany

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by Tiffany32 ↗

...me thinks it was a ghost priest

My first thought was that perhaps Katie was in shock and hallucinated.

But, others saw him, too.

Peoples' beliefs are amazing sometimes. I guess whatever works for you and gets you through difficult times

[Kanda444]

i have to say... i dont think he did anything to help. i mean, the story is that crews tried for a decent amount of time, decided to change action, then the priest showed up... they did what they would have done whether he had shown up or not and the new course of action worked.

even when i was religious, this wouldnt have seemed like a miracle to me. good for her though.

also, about him disappearing... i was at a car wreck once and i helped get the young girl's car door open. i also called 911 and the victim's mom ... when emergency crews showed up, i left. according to the victim (who later tracked me down) i had a shining light around me. emergency officials said there was nobody else there and that they got the door open.. but really, i did and she remembered it.

later, i went to see her in the hospital... when i went, i brought a stuffed bear with me... and when i walked into her room, i said hi to her mom and the victim suddenly went into cardiac arrest. i left the bear and let the doctors do what they had to do. her parents thought i was some sort of god send that helped their daughter through her experience... really, it was just timing.

[ices]

Originally Posted by Kanda444 ↗

i have to say... i dont think he did anything to help. i mean, the story is that crews tried for a decent amount of time, decided to change action, then the priest showed up... they did what they would have done whether he had shown up or not and the new course of action worked.

even when i was religious, this wouldnt have seemed like a miracle to me. good for her though.

also, about him disappearing... i was at a car wreck once and i helped get the young girl's car door open. i also called 911 and the victim's mom ... when emergency crews showed up, i left. according to the victim (who later tracked me down) i had a shining light around me. emergency officials said there was nobody else there and that they got the door open.. but really, i did and she remembered it.

later, i went to see her in the hospital... when i went, i brought a stuffed bear with me... and when i walked into her room, i said hi to her mom and the victim suddenly went into cardiac arrest. i left the bear and let the doctors do what they had to do. her parents thought i was some sort of god send that helped their daughter through her experience... really, it was just timing.

Holy Shit Kanda is a dead person posting on DR!

[Kanda444]

Originally Posted by ices ↗

Holy Shit Kanda is a dead person posting on DR!

you got it.. it's the only possible explanation

[GODREKR]

A press release provided to TheBlaze from the Diocese of Jefferson County confirmed that the Rev. Patrick Dowling, one of the priests who works with the diocese, is the individual whom they have been seeking.

While some assumed the mystery priest was an angel or a deceased Catholic saint coming back to shower goodwill upon mankind, it seems these individuals’ theories were incorrect; it was, in fact, a caring bystander and faith leader who took the time to help a young woman in crisis.

The statement, provided to TheBlaze by spokesperson Deacon Dan Joyce, head of communications for the diocese, reads (Joyce also confirmed these details with TheBlaze, noting that he has spoken with the priest about what unfolded):

The Diocese of Jefferson City has identified the priest who assisted at the site of the Sunday morning, August 4, 2013 auto accident near Center, Mo. He is Rev. Patrick Dowling, a priest of the Jefferson City Diocese. Fr. Dowling was travelling Hwy 19 between Mass assignments that morning in northern and central Missouri.

Fr. Dowling said that he is pleased that he was able to help by performing his ministry and noted that that he was just one of many who responded to assist the victim at the accident. He and the Diocese wish to acknowledge and thank the first responders, medical team and law enforcement personnel for their efforts that morning in aid of the young woman injured in the accident.

Fr. Dowling, a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Jefferson City, Mo., in 1982. He has served at parishes in Moberly, Monroe City, Indian Creek, Milan, Unionville and Eldon, Mo., and in the diocese’s mission parishes in Marcona and Nasca, Peru.

He is currently serving in prison ministry and in parish ministry to Spanish-speaking Catholics.

Rather than coming forward in a more ceremonial or traditional way, on Friday evening, Dowling chose to post a message in the comments section of an article on a Catholic news site — one that went widely unnoticed until this afternoon.

Posting on an article written in the National Catholic Register about the incident and the search for the mystery hero, the priest detailed what unfolded. He wrote that on his way home from a Mass — one during which he was filling in for a sick priest — he arrived at the crash scene. With authorities re-routing traffic (TheBlaze previously reported that the scene was shut down for a one-fourth of a mile radius), he waited until it was possible to get closer.

“I parked behind a large vehicle about 150 yards from the scene. I asked the Sheriff’s permission and approached the scene of the accident,” Dowling said. “I absolved and anointed Katie, and, at her request, prayed that her leg would not hurt. Then I stepped aside to where some rescue personnel and the pilot were waiting, and prayed the rosary silently.”

Then, he left the scene just as the helicopter was about to leave. Interestingly, he notes that he gave his name to one of the emergency personnel, but somehow it was seemingly not passed on. Rather than taking all the glory, the priest went on to thank all of these workers, noting that they deserve accolades.

Here’s the full comment that he posted, below:

I had Mass in Ewing MO as the regular priest was sick. As I was returning, I arrived at the scene. The authorities were redirecting traffic. I waited till it was possible to drive up closer. I parked behind a large vehicle about 150 yards from the scene. I asked the Sheriff’s permission and approached the scene of the accident. I absolved and anointed Katie, and, at her request, prayed that her leg would not hurt. Then I stepped aside to where some rescue personnel and the pilot were waiting, and prayed the rosary silently. I left when the helicopter was about to take off, and before I got to my car it was on its way to Quincy. I was amazed at the calmness of the two Highway patrol men. The sergeant was completely in control, amazingly calm. Everybody worked as harmoniously as a Swiss watch despite the critical nature of the scene. I gave my name to one of the authorities, perhaps to the sergeant of Highway Patrol, explaining that I was returning having celebrated Mass at Ewing. It was the sergeant who, at the Sheriff’s request, gave me Katie’s name as I was leaving, so I could visit her in hospital—I assumed she would be taken to Columbia. I think there may have been angels there too and, in this context, I congratulate the fire team from New London and Hannibal, the Sheriff/deputies of Ralls County, the Highway Patrol personnel, the helicopter team, the nurses and all who worked so professionally. God has blessed your work. I hope the credit goes where it is due.

While some had hoped for supernatural intervention, it seems an entirely human conclusion has come to fruition. Still, the faithful would argue that God’s hand was in this gesture, regardless of the channel that was used to help usher in calm at the scene.

Source

[Megamel29]

It's nice that the priest thanks the emergency people, doctors and police.