TERMED the “Titanic priest”, Fr Thomas Byles – who rather than save his life stayed on the sinking ship to pray with passengers – could be made saint.
According to survivors, the priest refused a lifeboat seat two times, and instead prayed with second and third-class passengers on the sinking ship, reported Metro.co.uk Sunday.
As the passengers realised the boat was sinking, he prayed with passengers, heard confessions, and held a service.
Fr Thomas Byles had been rector of St Helens’ in Chipping Ongar, Essex for eight years, before meeting his death.
He had been educated in Fleetwood, Lancashire and at Oxford.
On April 15, 1912, the priest died onboard the Titanic along with 1500 others when it sank off the Atlantic Coast.
He had been travelling to America to officiate at his brother’s wedding and to attend his younger brother’s funeral in New York.
At least two “miracles” attributed to a person are required for sainthood.
Pope Pius X praised Father Byles’ actions.
St Helens’, where Fr Byles was rector, has launched a campaign to advance his cause for sainthood.
