The Rev. Lawrence A. Morlan, 53, passed away Aug. 31, 2013, in Bettendorf.

A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, Sept. 9, at St. Patrick Church, La Salle, Ill. The most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, Bishop of Peoria, was the celebrant. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Streator, Ill.

Lawrence was born Feb. 20, 1960, in Streator. He graduated from Streator High School in 1978, and St. Ambrose College in 1982, with degrees in philosophy and history. Following his college graduation, he began work at the Davenport Catholic Worker House and joined the Plowshares Movement, an anti-nuclear weapons and pacifist nonviolent group. Two of his longtime mentors were the late Philip Berrigan and his brother, the Rev. Daniel Berrigan, now 92. Lawrence was an active worker for peace and social justice for more than 30 years. His work with the Plowshares included a March 28, 1986, Good Friday action at a Minuteman missile silo in Missouri that the group dubbed the “Silo Plowshares” and which was filmed for broadcast by “60 Minutes.” He served four years in prison for this nonviolent act.

Following this action, he returned to school attending the University of St. Mary on the Lake Seminary. He was ordained a priest in May 1995, in the Peoria Diocese. Father Morlan always stayed true to his principles and always let his conscience guide him. He was a strong writer, and he devoted his political writing and activism to the abolition of war. He believed the possession of nuclear weapons compromised our spiritual lives. His strong beliefs led him to participate in several other nonviolent demonstrations, including the 1998 “Gods of Metal” Plowshares action, in which he disarmed a B-52 Bomber at an air show at Andrews Air Force base. Father Morlan served as a parish priest in Pekin and Bloomington and pastor in Rock Island.

Throughout his years as a priest, he sought to shepherd his parishes by displaying unwavering belief in everything that authentic and holy about the Catholic faith. He especially was good at working with the sick and dying. In 2007, Father Morlan remained devoted to prayer, celebrating the sacraments and assisting family, friends and those in need. Father was bright and engaging and loved spirited discussions about politics, literature, history and current events. He was a tireless advocate for the homeless and the needy.

Father Morlan is survived by his father, Loren A. Morlan, Peru, Ill.; a sister, Joanne (Michael) Michalek, Watertown, Mass.; a brother Jeff (Karen) Morlan, Marshall, Mo.; two nephews Joshua and Jacob Morlan; three stepsisters, Beth, Denver, Colo., Amy, Utica, Ill., and Meg, Minneapolis, Minn.; on stepbrother, Jay, Joliet, Ill.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many great friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carole Morlan; and his stepmother, Joanne Morlan.