Father Ed Dowling

The biography by Dawn Eden Goldstein

He’s not an undiscovered or forgotten character, but his story is rather obscure, though much less obscure this year than last, thanks to Dawn Eden Goldstein and her astoundingly-well-researched 300-plus page biography.

He is Father Ed Dowling (1898-1960) - a Jesuit priest who befriended Bill Wilson, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous - and the book is Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.’s Spiritual Sponsor (Orbis Books, 2022).

The story of their twenty-year friendship and frequent meetings is more than outlined; it is so detailed that this reader felt he was eavesdropping on their conversations - and that’s a good thing because there is so much to learn - not only about these two giants of the pioneer days of A.A. - but from them.

But it is Father Ed from whom we benefit most and it is his life before meeting Wilson that is the focus of the first 100-plus pages. Goldstein animates his early life in great detail including his inspiration to enter the Jesuit novitiate and his struggles there - and his physical struggle with the arthritic disease ankylosing spondylitis. But it is how he handled his struggles that is inspiring - and how these struggles informed his life’s work - his apostolate became one of empathy for sufferers.

His devotion to “the good thief,” Saint Dismas - “this hoodlum Saint, who roams the outfield of eternity, making shoestring catches of souls” (p. 123) - is woven throughout, as is his love of people, all people - a love that led a friend to refer to him as “a divinely appointed ‘ambassador at large to humanity.’” (p. 172)

Father Ed is a biography and much more - this is a book about relationships, the essence of humanity - and whether you have an interest in A.A. or not, I highly recommend it as a users guide to living life on life’s terms.