The Bishop of Richmond, The Most Reverend Francis DiLorenzo retired Father Quinlan in June, 2005...

While Father Quinlan's homiletic language can described as "salty" or "earthy," there were some instances of avant garde liturgical celebrations. According to local newspapers,^[3] Father Quinlan rode a motorcycle down the aisle during a Palm Sunday procession at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. He occasionally costumed himself as The Grinch or a superhero at the beginning of a Mass. Another endeavor included a psychedelic Mass with lighting effects.

On 30 January 2006, The Catholic Virginian (the official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond), printed the following regarding Fr. Quinlan:

"Rev. Thomas Quinlan, a retired priest of the Diocese of Richmond, can no longer celebrate the sacraments publicly. He can celebrate Mass privately. Bishop DiLorenzo said he took this action as a response to Father Quinlan's behavior that has 'engendered anxiety and emotional upset which interferes with an individual's religious experience.'"