John Beale, Post-Gazette The body of Rev. Monsignor Charles Owen Rice rests in a hearse as Fr. John Rushofsky, Director of Clergy Personnel for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, left, and Msgr. Joseph Findlan, 94, stand with mourners outside St. Anne Church in Castle Shannon after a funeral mass for Msgr. Rice. Click photo for larger image. In his own words Audio clips from a 2001 Post-Gazette interview with Msgr. Rice: Depression-era labor movement Being on the front lines of the labor movement was a risky thing to do He was part of the Catholic Radical Alliance Msgr. Rice was noted for his fiery speeches He helped found St. Herman's House of Hospitality in the Hill District During the race riots of the '60s, Rice worked in Homewood Other activist priests left the chucrh, but he stayed Msgr. Rice sings "Danny Boy" Also Sign a guest book for Msgr. Rice Msgr. Rice obituary

Twenty years ago, "a very spry" Monsignor Charles Owen Rice asked the Very Rev. Donald P. Breier if he would preach at his funeral.

Yesterday, Father Breier honored that request at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anne Church in Castle Shannon that recalled Msgr. Rice's humor, his labor advocacy, and his devotion to his faith and the priesthood.

At the time, Msgr. Rice -- who was known to time other priests lest their sermons go too long -- told his friend, "You know, you can go at least 20 minutes for my funeral." Father Breier replied, "But you'll be lying down, and the rest of us will be sitting in hard pews."

Bishop Donald Wuerl was the celebrant at yesterday's service, which was attended by an estimated 800 people.

Msgr. Rice, who died Sunday just eight days short of his 97 th birthday, was widely known as Pittsburgh's "Labor Priest."

"Msgr. Rice is just part of the fabric of the labor community and labor movement in Western Pennsylvania," said Jack Shea, president of the Allegheny County Labor Council. "He gave us the courage to fight for the folks who need it most."

During his 72 years as a priest, Msgr. Rice could be both beloved and a lightning rod for controversy -- and he would be equally delighted by either one. He walked in the front lines at labor protests, he openly opposed the Vietnam War and he once marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington against the Pentagon.

"He didn't fear controversy or confrontation. He actually thrived on it," Father Breier said at yesterday's service.

To the larger public, Msgr. Rice, a founding member of the Association of Catholic Trade Unionists, was best known as an outspoken ally of labor unions and their members.

"He saw it as a holy cause. He really did," said Charles McCollester, a professor of industrial and labor relations at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and long-time friend of Msgr. Rice.

But behind his outspoken stand for working people, and against racism and war, Msgr. Rice was "first and foremost, a man of faith," Father Breier said. For all his good work, "I admire him most of all for his love of the church, his love of the priesthood, his love of priests."

He ended the homily by telling his old friend, "Rest in peace, Monsignor, and don't forget to pray for us all," prompting the audience to break into applause.