The recent death of Father Richard T. Lawrence struck hard in Baltimore, even in the time of Covid, when we scan the obituaries with near daily recognition.

In every way, Dick was bigger than the ordinary. The St. Vincent de Paul Church congregation he pastored for more than four decades included everyone, even an atheist Jew like me. He was ever ready to offer a repast or a riposte.

He comforted the afflicted and afflicted the comfortable with verve, famously offering to occupy a jail cell when the civil authorities threatened to overstep their charge.

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