Father Joseph Collins, R.I.P.

Beloved sedevacantist priest

Father Joseph Collins, R.I.P.

(October 6, 1952 – April 27, 2019)

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the death of Fr. Joseph Francis Collins. Fr. Collins died today, April 27, at 11:54 am in Albany, New York, after a battle with cancer. For many years, he was the pastor at St. Michael Chapel & Shrine in Glenmont, New York.

Originally ordained by Abp. Marcel Lefebvre, Fr. Collins had been among the sedevacantist “Nine” who were expelled from the Society of St. Pius X in April of 1983, after they had sent a letter to Abp. Lefebvre and the SSPX General Council concerning serious problems with regard to the SSPX’s theology and internal policies. The other eight priests who also signed the letter were Fathers Clarence Kelly, Donald Sanborn, Daniel Dolan, Anthony Cekada, William Jenkins, Eugene Berry, Martin Skierka, and Thomas Zapp. (The whole story of “The Nine” is told by three of the clerics involved in this free Restoration Radio broadcast.)

We thank Fr. Collins for his many years of working for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, and we pray that he will enjoy a happy eternity with God.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Here are some more photos of Fr. Collins, including some from shortly before his death: