Female Pall Bearers Carry Father Greeley

Mass was celebrated yesterday for sociologist and Roman Catholic best-selling author Father Andrew Greeley at the Chicago church where Greeley had been a parish priest almost sixty years ago.

It's not surprising that a strong-willed man who wrote about Jesus's relationships with women, who also supported the ordination of women, and was survived by five nieces and one sister, would have female pall bearers (four of the six), but it is unusual, and a good illustration of how small gestures at the funeral can support the deceased's point-of-view, paying homage in a big way.

Greeley's simple casket leaves church on Chicago's South side yesterday.