Father Ed Dowling: Bill W's Spiritual Sponsor

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 GoldsteinDawn Eden contact:  https://dawneden.blogspot.com/"...and Bill described this in front of Father Ed atthe AA Comes of Age Conference in St Louis in 1955, you can hear Bill'sintroduction and Father Ed's address on YouTube."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQYhXb4eNEUwww.twowayprayer.org