Former Bishop of the Diocese of Erie, Bishop Michael Joseph Murphy, D.D., S.T.L., died on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at the infirmary of the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse in Erie, aged 91. He was born on July 1, 1915, in Cleveland, the only child of the late William and Mary Bridget Patton Murphy. Raised in Cleveland, he attended Grade School at St. Rose and St. James Schools and graduated from Cathedral Latin High School in 1933. He studied for two years at Niagara University, Niagara Falls, New York, before entering St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland in 1935.
Murphy was assigned to complete his priesthood studies at North American College and Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. His studies in Rome were interrupted in 1940, due to the Second World War and he returned to the United States to enroll at the Theological College of the Catholic University of America in Washington. There he earned a licentiate in sacred theology in 1942.
He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Cleveland on February 28, 1942, by the late Bishop James McFadden at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He was appointed to the Faculty of St. Mary's Seminary in 1943. In 1944, he was named the Seminary's Dean of Students. In 1946, he was assigned to graduate studies at the Catholic University of America. Returning to Cleveland in 1948, he was appointed vice-rector of St. Mary's Seminary. He served as rector of was installed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Erie with the right of succession. This appointment was among the first by the late Pope John Paul II. While serving under Bishop Alfred M. Watson, Bishop Murphy traveled to every parish in the diocese, wrote a pastoral letter on marriage, implemented a policy of marriage preparation for all couples planning to be married in the Erie Diocese and undertook an extensive study of Catholic secondary schools.
When Bishop Alfred M. Watson retired on July 16, 1982, Bishop Murphy became the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Erie. In 1983, Bishop Murphy founded the Emmaus Program, an annual convocation of priests in the Diocese offering them an opportunity to continue their education and spiritual formation. In 1984, he announced a three-year plan to raise $9 million to cover diocesan expenses, including renovation of St. Peter's Cathedral. The appeal, titled "Share His Gifts – His Mission," temporarily replaced the annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal and netted more than $13 million in pledges. The Bishop delayed renovations on the Cathedral following the release of Pope John Paul II's Encyclical "On Social Concerns." Some of the funds were targeted to meet the educational and social needs of the Diocese.
In 1985 Bishop Murphy took several actions that affected parishes. He established a policy of limited tenure for pastors and adhering to the Code of Canon Law, he ordered each parish to establish finance councils. He also announced that RENEW, a three-year process of spiritual growth, would begin in parishes and institutions in the fall of 1986. According to the Code of Canon Law, all bishops must submit a letter of retirement on their 75th birthday. Bishop Murphy turned 75, on July 1, 1990. His tenure as Bishop of Erie officially ended on July 15, 1990, when Bishop Donald W. Trautman took canonical possession of the Erie Diocese. Upon retirement, Bishop Murphy resided at St. Patrick Parish in Erie. On February 28, 2007, he celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. A quick-witted Irishman known for his sense of humour, he celebrated his 90th birthday with a motorcycle ride.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held in St. Peter's Cathedral on Monday, April 9, at 1.30 pm., In a handwritten letter to his successor, Bishop Murphy left clear instructions for his funeral: "Keep it simple, keep it joyful." He wanted his funeral to be a reflection of the way he had lived his life. He chose a simple pine box, made at a Trappist monastery, for his casket.
Bishop Donald Trautman celebrated the funeral liturgy, with Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, presiding. Bishop A. James Quinn, Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, gave the homily.
An only child, Bishop Murphy was interred in the family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cleveland, next to his parents, clad in Gothic liturgical vestments.
Murphy was assigned to complete his priesthood studies at North American College and Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. His studies in Rome were interrupted in 1940, due to the Second World War and he returned to the United States to enroll at the Theological College of the Catholic University of America in Washington. There he earned a licentiate in sacred theology in 1942.
He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Cleveland on February 28, 1942, by the late Bishop James McFadden at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He was appointed to the Faculty of St. Mary's Seminary in 1943. In 1944, he was named the Seminary's Dean of Students. In 1946, he was assigned to graduate studies at the Catholic University of America. Returning to Cleveland in 1948, he was appointed vice-rector of St. Mary's Seminary. He served as rector of was installed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Erie with the right of succession. This appointment was among the first by the late Pope John Paul II. While serving under Bishop Alfred M. Watson, Bishop Murphy traveled to every parish in the diocese, wrote a pastoral letter on marriage, implemented a policy of marriage preparation for all couples planning to be married in the Erie Diocese and undertook an extensive study of Catholic secondary schools.
When Bishop Alfred M. Watson retired on July 16, 1982, Bishop Murphy became the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Erie. In 1983, Bishop Murphy founded the Emmaus Program, an annual convocation of priests in the Diocese offering them an opportunity to continue their education and spiritual formation. In 1984, he announced a three-year plan to raise $9 million to cover diocesan expenses, including renovation of St. Peter's Cathedral. The appeal, titled "Share His Gifts – His Mission," temporarily replaced the annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal and netted more than $13 million in pledges. The Bishop delayed renovations on the Cathedral following the release of Pope John Paul II's Encyclical "On Social Concerns." Some of the funds were targeted to meet the educational and social needs of the Diocese.
In 1985 Bishop Murphy took several actions that affected parishes. He established a policy of limited tenure for pastors and adhering to the Code of Canon Law, he ordered each parish to establish finance councils. He also announced that RENEW, a three-year process of spiritual growth, would begin in parishes and institutions in the fall of 1986. According to the Code of Canon Law, all bishops must submit a letter of retirement on their 75th birthday. Bishop Murphy turned 75, on July 1, 1990. His tenure as Bishop of Erie officially ended on July 15, 1990, when Bishop Donald W. Trautman took canonical possession of the Erie Diocese. Upon retirement, Bishop Murphy resided at St. Patrick Parish in Erie. On February 28, 2007, he celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. A quick-witted Irishman known for his sense of humour, he celebrated his 90th birthday with a motorcycle ride.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held in St. Peter's Cathedral on Monday, April 9, at 1.30 pm., In a handwritten letter to his successor, Bishop Murphy left clear instructions for his funeral: "Keep it simple, keep it joyful." He wanted his funeral to be a reflection of the way he had lived his life. He chose a simple pine box, made at a Trappist monastery, for his casket.
Bishop Donald Trautman celebrated the funeral liturgy, with Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, presiding. Bishop A. James Quinn, Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, gave the homily.
An only child, Bishop Murphy was interred in the family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cleveland, next to his parents, clad in Gothic liturgical vestments.
Former Bishop of the Diocese of Erie, Bishop Michael Joseph Murphy, D.D., S.T.L., died on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at the infirmary of the Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse in Erie, aged 91. He was born on July 1, 1915, in Cleveland, the only child of the late William and Mary Bridget Patton Murphy. Raised in Cleveland, he attended Grade School at St. Rose and St. James Schools and graduated from Cathedral Latin High School in 1933. He studied for two years at Niagara University, Niagara Falls, New York, before entering St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland in 1935.
Murphy was assigned to complete his priesthood studies at North American College and Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. His studies in Rome were interrupted in 1940, due to the Second World War and he returned to the United States to enroll at the Theological College of the Catholic University of America in Washington. There he earned a licentiate in sacred theology in 1942.
He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Cleveland on February 28, 1942, by the late Bishop James McFadden at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He was appointed to the Faculty of St. Mary's Seminary in 1943. In 1944, he was named the Seminary's Dean of Students. In 1946, he was assigned to graduate studies at the Catholic University of America. Returning to Cleveland in 1948, he was appointed vice-rector of St. Mary's Seminary. He served as rector of was installed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Erie with the right of succession. This appointment was among the first by the late Pope John Paul II. While serving under Bishop Alfred M. Watson, Bishop Murphy traveled to every parish in the diocese, wrote a pastoral letter on marriage, implemented a policy of marriage preparation for all couples planning to be married in the Erie Diocese and undertook an extensive study of Catholic secondary schools.
When Bishop Alfred M. Watson retired on July 16, 1982, Bishop Murphy became the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Erie. In 1983, Bishop Murphy founded the Emmaus Program, an annual convocation of priests in the Diocese offering them an opportunity to continue their education and spiritual formation. In 1984, he announced a three-year plan to raise $9 million to cover diocesan expenses, including renovation of St. Peter's Cathedral. The appeal, titled "Share His Gifts – His Mission," temporarily replaced the annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal and netted more than $13 million in pledges. The Bishop delayed renovations on the Cathedral following the release of Pope John Paul II's Encyclical "On Social Concerns." Some of the funds were targeted to meet the educational and social needs of the Diocese.
In 1985 Bishop Murphy took several actions that affected parishes. He established a policy of limited tenure for pastors and adhering to the Code of Canon Law, he ordered each parish to establish finance councils. He also announced that RENEW, a three-year process of spiritual growth, would begin in parishes and institutions in the fall of 1986. According to the Code of Canon Law, all bishops must submit a letter of retirement on their 75th birthday. Bishop Murphy turned 75, on July 1, 1990. His tenure as Bishop of Erie officially ended on July 15, 1990, when Bishop Donald W. Trautman took canonical possession of the Erie Diocese. Upon retirement, Bishop Murphy resided at St. Patrick Parish in Erie. On February 28, 2007, he celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. A quick-witted Irishman known for his sense of humour, he celebrated his 90th birthday with a motorcycle ride.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held in St. Peter's Cathedral on Monday, April 9, at 1.30 pm., In a handwritten letter to his successor, Bishop Murphy left clear instructions for his funeral: "Keep it simple, keep it joyful." He wanted his funeral to be a reflection of the way he had lived his life. He chose a simple pine box, made at a Trappist monastery, for his casket.
Bishop Donald Trautman celebrated the funeral liturgy, with Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, presiding. Bishop A. James Quinn, Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, gave the homily.
An only child, Bishop Murphy was interred in the family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cleveland, next to his parents, clad in Gothic liturgical vestments.
Murphy was assigned to complete his priesthood studies at North American College and Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy. His studies in Rome were interrupted in 1940, due to the Second World War and he returned to the United States to enroll at the Theological College of the Catholic University of America in Washington. There he earned a licentiate in sacred theology in 1942.
He was ordained priest for the Diocese of Cleveland on February 28, 1942, by the late Bishop James McFadden at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. He was appointed to the Faculty of St. Mary's Seminary in 1943. In 1944, he was named the Seminary's Dean of Students. In 1946, he was assigned to graduate studies at the Catholic University of America. Returning to Cleveland in 1948, he was appointed vice-rector of St. Mary's Seminary. He served as rector of was installed as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Erie with the right of succession. This appointment was among the first by the late Pope John Paul II. While serving under Bishop Alfred M. Watson, Bishop Murphy traveled to every parish in the diocese, wrote a pastoral letter on marriage, implemented a policy of marriage preparation for all couples planning to be married in the Erie Diocese and undertook an extensive study of Catholic secondary schools.
When Bishop Alfred M. Watson retired on July 16, 1982, Bishop Murphy became the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Erie. In 1983, Bishop Murphy founded the Emmaus Program, an annual convocation of priests in the Diocese offering them an opportunity to continue their education and spiritual formation. In 1984, he announced a three-year plan to raise $9 million to cover diocesan expenses, including renovation of St. Peter's Cathedral. The appeal, titled "Share His Gifts – His Mission," temporarily replaced the annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal and netted more than $13 million in pledges. The Bishop delayed renovations on the Cathedral following the release of Pope John Paul II's Encyclical "On Social Concerns." Some of the funds were targeted to meet the educational and social needs of the Diocese.
In 1985 Bishop Murphy took several actions that affected parishes. He established a policy of limited tenure for pastors and adhering to the Code of Canon Law, he ordered each parish to establish finance councils. He also announced that RENEW, a three-year process of spiritual growth, would begin in parishes and institutions in the fall of 1986. According to the Code of Canon Law, all bishops must submit a letter of retirement on their 75th birthday. Bishop Murphy turned 75, on July 1, 1990. His tenure as Bishop of Erie officially ended on July 15, 1990, when Bishop Donald W. Trautman took canonical possession of the Erie Diocese. Upon retirement, Bishop Murphy resided at St. Patrick Parish in Erie. On February 28, 2007, he celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. A quick-witted Irishman known for his sense of humour, he celebrated his 90th birthday with a motorcycle ride.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held in St. Peter's Cathedral on Monday, April 9, at 1.30 pm., In a handwritten letter to his successor, Bishop Murphy left clear instructions for his funeral: "Keep it simple, keep it joyful." He wanted his funeral to be a reflection of the way he had lived his life. He chose a simple pine box, made at a Trappist monastery, for his casket.
Bishop Donald Trautman celebrated the funeral liturgy, with Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, presiding. Bishop A. James Quinn, Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, gave the homily.
An only child, Bishop Murphy was interred in the family plot at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cleveland, next to his parents, clad in Gothic liturgical vestments.
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EIGHTH BISHOP OF ERIE PA.
JULY 16, 1982 ~ JULY 1, 1990
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