Father Andrew Greeley—sociologist, author of dozens of fiction and nonfiction books, and perennial thorn in the side of the Catholic hierarchy—died this week (May 29). He was 85. Greeley was openly critical of the church on many issues, including birth control, child sex abuse, and the status of women. Five years ago, he suffered a traumatic brain injury after an accident. He never regained full cognitive function.

In 2011, R&E correspondent Judy Valente spent time with Greeley’s family. Watch her story