Father Ed Dowling: Bill W's Spiritual Sponsor

About this episode

Father Bill interviews Dawn Eden Goldstein about her biography of Father Ed Dowling and his relationship with Bill Wilson.

Throughout his life, Father Ed was attracted to those who suffered - and since AA describes itself as “a program of attraction,” there’s little wonder this Jesuit priest was drawn to 12-Step members from the Program’s earliest days. In 1940, Dowling saw a troubled man recover from the depths of alcoholic despair and soon after witnessing this miracle he traveled to New York to meet AA’s co-founder, Bill Wilson. He wanted to learn how AA worked. Thus began a spiritual friendship between two men that continued throughout Fr. Ed’s life. Bill later wrote of Ed, “He became just about the closest friend I shall ever have - and my spiritual advisor, too. He took me through some of my rough going, which, without his counsel and love, I might never have survived.” Fr. Bill interviews Dawn Eden Goldstein, author of a new and much needed biography of Father Ed. Her book is a “must read” for those interested in AA history and will prove a valuable study guide for anyone wanting to discover the love of God that lies at the heart of every genuine 12-Step recovery. Show notes: Father Ed by Dawn Eden Goldstein Dawn Eden contact: https://dawneden.blogspot.com/ "...and Bill described this in…

People in this episode

Host: Father Bill W.

Guest: Dawn Eden Goldstein

Topics covered

• 12-Step recovery
• spiritual friendship
• alcoholism
• AA history
• spiritual guidance

Keywords

• Father Ed Dowling
• Bill Wilson
• AA
• 12-Step
• spiritual advisor
• Dawn Eden Goldstein
• alcoholic recovery

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AA, Two Way Prayer

Books & works: Father Ed

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