For years, they have traveled together, the archbishop of Baltimore and his two longtime friends, fellow priests from his former diocese in Harrisburg, Pa.
Sometimes across the United States, other times around the world, the trio's vacations frequently included visits to historic churches, what one church official likened to a "spiritual pilgrimage."
But over the weekend, their latest trip - to Italy - turned tragic when a serious auto accident left one of the clergymen dead. Now, Cardinal William H. Keeler and his other friend, usually the ones comforting the bereaved, are themselves injured and in mourning.
The Rev. Bernard Quinn, 78, a retired priest from the Diocese of Harrisburg, was killed in the crash about 60 miles outside of Rome, said officials at the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Keeler is expected to be released from the hospital today along with Monsignor Thomas H. Smith, pastor of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Lancaster, Pa.
A car struck the passenger side of their vehicle in the city of Terni, said an archdiocese spokesman, Sean Caine. Smith was driving, Keeler was in the front passenger seat, and Quinn rode in the back.
Smith, 75, cracked several ribs; Keeler, 75, broke an ankle and has a cast. The cardinal - who could not be reached for comment yesterday - told archdiocesan officials that he was wearing his seat belt and that his air bag inflated, Caine said. No information was available on the specifics of the accident, including the driver of the other car.
The cardinal was originally due to return to Baltimore later this week, Caine said, but it was unknown yesterday how the accident will affect his plans.
Information about the accident was not released until yesterday so Quinn's family could be notified. Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Several days could pass before they can be established because of the paperwork and bureaucracy involved in releasing the body, said Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Harrisburg at a news conference yesterday in Hunt Valley.
The three clergymen were good friends who often vacationed together, said Bishop W. Francis Malooly, who as vicar general oversees the day-to-day operations of the archdiocese in Baltimore. They had traveled abroad and within the United States, usually visiting historic churches.
"It was always like a spiritual pilgrimage for them," Malooly said.
