Nephew of slain Germantown priest follows uncle's path

Gazette ^ | June 18, 2010 | Andre L. Taylor

[NYer]

Monsignor Thomas Wells will not be in the crowd Saturday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception when his nephew, Deacon David Wells, is ordained as a Catholic priest.

A decade ago, Thomas Wells was stabbed to death in the rectory of Mother Seton Catholic Church in Germantown, a crime for which Robert Paul Lucas is serving a 42-year sentence. Lucas, 35, formerly of Clarksburg, said he stabbed Wells because the priest made sexual advances toward him.

David Wells, 27, of Bowie, said his uncle was proud of his Catholic faith, as is the rest of the Wells family.

"The first time I thought about the priesthood was around the time my uncle died," he said Thursday in a phone interview. "In his death as much as his life, he influenced me."

More than a thousand people are expected to attend the ordination of eight priests at the shrine in Washington, D.C., on Saturday morning. Archdiocese of Washington spokeswoman Susan Gibbs said the priests will not learn their parish assignments until after the ordination.

David Wells said his first Mass will be June 20.

The chalice Thomas Wells used in mass for 29 years will go with his nephew on Sunday when David Wells takes over as priest of his own parish. The chalice was passed down to David by his family who thought his uncle would want him to have it.

In a Father's Day Mass on Sunday, David Wells said, he will speak of the lessons he learned from his uncle, who was a father figure to many people.

"My uncle was definitely a spiritual father and he led many people to a spiritual maturity through his words and scripture," he said.

[NYer]

inspired to follow in his uncle�s footsteps is shown here at a Mass celebrated on the 10th anniversary of the monsignor�s death. Wells will be ordained Saturday

[NYer]

"My own dad, who has the same passion for the Catholic faith, raised me and prepared me for the day when I would become a priest."

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thank God we still have men who step into the shoes of the martyrs and continue to lead.

[sitetest]

David is a very personable young man. He went to my high school (along with a bunch of his family). His uncle was a great priest, and had a significant effect on my wife and me. It’s sad that this “newspaper” printed the libel against Msgr. Wells that the murderer used to excuse his demonic crime.

David is a member of my Knights of Columbus Council and has received support from our council during his seminary years.

[NYer]

He will be a wonderful priest. Thank you for the insight into your family friend.

[Eagles6]

Gazette had to get in that the murderer said that he killed the priest after he made sexual advances despite the fact that the killer didn’t remember that “fact” until weeks after his arrest, no doubt with the help of his court appointed lawyer.

[sitetest]

My sons and I just returned from the ordination Mass of Fr. David Wells and seven other new priests of the Archdiocese of Washington.

[trisham]

Hello, sitetest.

It’s nice to see you.

[NYer]

Wonderful news! May God continue to bless His Church with vocations.

[sitetest]

Thanks.