Both Fr. Tim Hanley and Deacon Paul Bar expressed astonishment over Fr. Bill Burns consenting to be interviewed by The Catholic Register about the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood given his “quiet and humble” nature.

“It is certainly surprising even to me that he would agree to any celebration to tell you the truth,” said Bar, who has assisted Burns during liturgical services at Blessed Trinity Parish in Toronto.

Hanley said he was “delighted” that this unassuming priest was being profiled. He anticipated the Register was reaching out to discuss Burns’ “bombastic” contemporary Msgr. Joseph Shiels, who is also celebrating his 60th anniversary of priestly ministry.

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Burns did originally intend for this significant milestone to slip past unnoticed, but there was determination on the part of Fr. Ed Murphy of Blessed Trinity Parish, and others, for the 85-year-old priest to be celebrated. The native of Tweed, Ont., ultimately agreed to acknowledge his long years of vocational service in a sermon delivered during the 11 a.m. Mass at Blessed Trinity on June 8.

He was keen to express how much has changed since he took his vows and was anointed with chrism oil on May 23, 1965, in the Archdiocese of Kingston.

“When I was ordained there was still in Canada a general acceptance — though beginning to lessen — of the existence of God amongst the Catholics, Protestants and Jews,” said Burns during the Mass. “The transmission of faith to the next generation was supported by the culture in which we live.”

His first year in the priesthood coincided with the final year of The Second Vatican Council. This three-year summit was an opportunity for attendees to contemplate Catholicism’s relationship with other religions and its connection to a larger world turning toward secular humanism.

Burns said at the time “there were rumours we would soon have a married clergy and the ordination of women.” He revealed that “I would have voted for both of those.”

It is manifestly apparent through listening to Burns’ homily and speaking to him directly that he is a cleric who cherishes inclusivity and is therefore an ardent supporter of the ongoing synodal journey.

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“I certainly think that (synodality) is the way that the Church can go forward,” Burns told the Register. “I don't think the Church can go back to the way it was when I was first ordained. We had Latin in the Mass and the priest was facing with his back to the people. We cannot go back there.

“I think synodality is just at the beginning stage, especially here in Canada. Hopefully there will be some real initiatives to move that forward, for more parishes will be involved and that people will be able to express who they are and what would be good for the faith in the future.”

Hanley, who met Burns 45 years ago when the latter was serving as a chaplain for Queen’s University in Kingston, said his friend was ahead of the curve in empowering the people in the pew.

“He had been seeking to do that in his parishes: to listen, move forward and engage the laity in his own direction of the parish,” said Hanley. “He is not afraid to know what he doesn’t know and get people to help him, but not in perfunctory ways.”

One of the highlights for Burns throughout his vocational career was collaborating with his St. Luke’s Church parishioners, in Thornhill, Ont., on an Out of the Cold project to aid homeless people.

This cooperative mindset was a throughline from his first appointment at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kingston to his last full-time pastor position at St. Luke’s, where he served for 17 years until his retirement in 2015.  He also ministered at St. John’s Parish and Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School in Kingston, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish in Toronto and Our Lady of Airways Parish in Mississauga.

Burns credits Fr. Joe Shannon, his childhood parish priest at St. Carthagh’s in Tweed, for “planting a seed” for a call to the priesthood that blossomed after attending one year of a science program at the University of Toronto.

“The Spirit was moving gently in my life,” said Burns. “I just realized that maybe science wasn't my forte or that I wasn't (meant) to be a teacher or something. I decided that priesthood was a good option.”

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Walking the path God has set for him has reaped many rewards. He receives many letters in the mail from former parishioners and his connection to the people remains strong through parish visits and continued liturgical service at Blessed Trinity.

“There are constantly people after Mass wanting to seek him out for his wisdom, direction and counsel,” said Bar. “He is well loved as his former parishioners from surrounding parishes pop in to visit him.”