William Martyn Obituary, Death – Atonement SA Friar Brother William Martyn had numerous hats. Ecumenist, communications, and media guru, he promoted At-One-Ment on Graymoor’s Holy Mountain and beyond. Brother Martyn died six days after his 83rd birthday on August 28. Boston birthed Brother Martyn on August 23, 1940. On December 2, 1957, he joined the Society of the Atonement and began smoking on July 25, 1958.
He made his first vows on July 26, 1960, and his last five years later. Junior Brother infirmarian at Graymoor’s St. Paul’s Friary and St. Pius X Seminary. Brother Martyn visited Goias’ Jatai in October 1967. He taught health care and Christian education for six years in the diocese. After returning to the US in 1973, he attended Fordham and Dayton. Brother Martyn joined the OKU campus ministry. Brother Martyn worked in Brockton’s Chapel of Our Savior after Oklahoma. He advised and taught adult religion to prepare couples for marriage. After the 1981 Friars’ General Chapter, Brother Martyn joined Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute.
GEII director, he oversaw operations and publications. The Archdiocese of New York appointed Brother Martyn as Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Commission Director in 1984. Co-chaired Christian denomination discussion. The Bishops Conference’s Committee on Catholic Jewish Affairs and Bishops Consultation with the Synagogue Council of America requested his advice. He appeared extensively on radio and TV and lectured at Yonkers and Esopus’ Catechetical Institute and Permanent Deacons Program. He wrote monthly on ecumenism and interreligious issues for the archdiocesan’s “Clergy Report” and other local and national publications.
Brother Martyn joined Holy See Friars’ Atonement Procurator General in 1995. Papal counselor to the Vatican’s Commission for Religious Relations with Jews in Rome. Brother Martyn became Ramapo College’s interreligious dialogue assistant director three years later. After learning about online design, he became the Friars’ web designer in 2001. Graymoor hired him for website and communications years later. He had many northeast ecumenical directorships.
The Franciscan Friar of the Atonement made Brother Martyn 60 on June 24, 2017. Father William and Mother Mary predeceased Brother Martyn, but brothers Jim and Frank live.
A wake will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 7 at the Chapel of St. Anthony at St. Paul Friary at Graymoor. The Chapel of St. Anthony at St. Paul Friary at Graymoor will host a Christian burial Mass on Friday, September 8 at 10 a.m. Friars’ graveyard burial is timely.
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