Bishop Timothy Lyne, retired auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Chicago, “embodied the best of our church.” Those were the words of Auxiliary Bishop Francis Kane who delivered the homily at the funeral Mass on Sept. 30 at Holy Name Cathedral. “Bishop Timothy Lyne was a true gentleman, a great priest and a faithful and faith-filled bishop,” Bishop Kane told the congregation, which included more than 125 priests, 12 bishops and two cardinals who vested for the funeral Mass. On the morning of Sept. 25, Bishop Lyne passed away suddenly at his residence in the rectory bearing his name at Holy Name Cathedral. Bishop Lyne, 94, was a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago for 70 years and an auxiliary bishop for 30 years. Bishop Kane told the congregation that Bishop Lyne had a great respect for people of all backgrounds, which stemmed from the knowledge that we are made in the image and likeness of God but also from a “great and generous heart.” During his life, the bishop was active in various interfaith and ecumenical groups and continued to work past retirement as the vicar for senior priests. Bishop Kane said at the time of Bishop Lyne’s retirement there wasn’t a really good system to look after senior priests but the latter stepped in and showed everyone how to do it. “In the 94 years of his life he has produced much fruit. For that we come together and give thanks today,” Bishop Kane said. Many of Bishop Lyne’s family attended the funeral. He was uncle to 18 nieces and nephews, 45 grand-nieces and nephews and four great-grand nieces and nephews. Bishop Lyne was buried in the vestments he wore for his episcopal ordination 30 years before. Cardinal Edward Egan, retired archbishop of New York, spoke at the end of the Mass. The cardinal said he and Bishop Lyne talked at least once a week and were good friends since the time then-Father Egan lived at Holy Name Cathedral. Chicago roots Bishop Lyne was born in Chicago on March 21, 1919, to Mary and Michael Lyne. He attended Resurrection and St. Mel schools, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He had a masters in history and licentiate in sacred theology. On May 1, 1943, Bishop Lyne was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago. He served as associate pastor for 19 years at St. Mary’s in Riverside and three years at St. Edmund Parish, Oak Park, before moving to Holy Name Cathedral in 1966. He was associate pastor for one year then rector of the cathedral from 1967 until 1990. Under his direction, the cathedral was renovated in 1968. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin ordained the then-63-year-old Bishop Lyne in 1983. He was named titular bishop of Vamalia and served as episcopal vicar for Vicariate II, which takes in much of the North Side and near north suburbs. From 1988 to 2013, he served as vicar for senior priests. He also served as episcopal member of the Illinois Council of Churches, on the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago and on the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions. He was reported to be one of the oldest living bishops in the United States. In 2001, Catholic Charities opened the Bishop Lyne Residence in Palos Park for retired priests. It offers a compelling alternative, one close to the priests’ spiritual roots and affording them an arrangement that provides independent living without financial challenges. Bishop Lyne knew all six Chicago cardinals: Cardinals George Mundelein, Samuel Stritch, Albert Meyer, John Cody, Joseph Bernardin and Francis George. “Each one was a fascinating person who influenced me and my life in a way for which I will always be grateful,” he previously told the Catholic New World. “The Archdiocese of Chicago is mourning the death of a beloved bishop, and Chicago mourns the death of a great citizen of our city,” Cardinal George said in a statement after the bishop’s death. “Bishop Tim Lyne was recognized as a young man of talent by his pastor at St. Mel Parish on Chicago’s West Side. As a seminarian, he caddied for Cardinal Mundelein. As a young priest, he was given tasks by Cardinal Stritch that demanded great sensitivity. As rector of Holy Name Cathedral, he served the people and counseled his archbishops. Always, he was the model of a Christian gentleman, shaped by his faith to see the good in everyone; and everyone responded with respect and affection. “He contributed to and accompanied the life of the Archdiocese and of innumerable individuals for decades. Seemingly indestructible because never complaining, his death is a shock. I believe he would want us to pray for him, as we continue to count on his prayers for us before the Lord. May he rest in peace,” Cardinal George said. Happy to be a priest During Bishop Lyne’s priesthood, the United States and its allies won World War II and soldiers came back to build a new suburban society, African Americans and other minorities fought for their civil rights, the Vietnam War divided America and women began working outside the home in great numbers. The Second Vatican Council made changes to the way Catholics worship and to the way many Catholics understand the church. No matter what happened, Bishop Lyne was always happy to be a priest. “I’m very grateful, not only that God gave me the priesthood, but gave me a love of it,” he told the Catholic New World during an interview in June. “I think sometimes people find their vocation hard. I’ve enjoyed mine. I have always been very grateful to God for my priesthood.” Such positive sentiments extended to his rather large family. “There were so many of us,” said Bishop Lyne’s nephew, Mike Lyne, “most people struggle to remember so many names, but he always remembered. Only once can I recall a big family party with kids everywhere when my uncle called me over and, pointing to an unfamiliar face, asked ‘Is that one of ours?’” Turns out Bishop Lyne was not mistaken. Bishop Lyne told the Catholic New World that he would pray the liturgy of the office daily. In his free time he enjoyed chocolate ice cream and had a subscription to the Lyric Opera. He also golfed until he was 93. His favorite scripture was his episcopal motto “Grace, mercy and peace,” the first three words of St. Paul’s epistle to Timothy, the bishop’s patron saint. Bishop Lyne was buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside.