Fr Malcolm Maloney, O.F.M.,Cap. (continued)
Father Malcolm was born in Detroit , Michigan, in 1927. After service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he entered the Capuchin Franciscans order making his first vows on September 1, 1949, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1955. He served in several types of ministry, including prison chaplain at Marquette Penitentiary, hospital chaplaincy at two hospitals in the Detroit area and retreat ministry at Queen of Angels Retreat House in Saginaw. This was in addition to Pastoral Ministry at parishes in Saginaw, the Thumb and Midland, in Michigan and Marathon, Wisconsin.
Wherever he served, Fr. Malcolm brought his sense of peace, joy and supreme confidence in the goodness of God and of the people to whom he ministered. This gentle but unshakeable faith is evident in every homily he gives and every counsel he shares. One of his great gifts is his talent for sharing the God of love that he so deeply experiences with those he encounters.
His faith is not one of words alone, for at several times in his ministry he has acted on his faith when it was difficult or even dangerous. When he was pastor at St Joseph’s in Saginaw, at the peak of the civil rights movement, he was marching and standing with those who were trying to gain a measure of equality and dignity in their lives. He spent time on the streets of Chicago to fully experience what it means to be poor and homeless. Fr. Malcolm also resigned a position as a matter of conscience when he felt that continuing in the position would signal condoning the oppression of others. He has been a member of the Mid-Michigan Affiliate of Voice of the Faithful from its inception until moving to his current home at St Bonaventure Monastery.
Throughout his life Malcolm has, always gently, always non-judgmentally, spoken and acted the faith that he so deeply holds, in a good and loving God, whose faithful servant he has always been. And in this lies true integrity.
