Thomas Joseph Murphy

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Thomas Joseph Murphy (October 3, 1932 – June 26, 1997) was an American Catholic prelate who served as archbishop of Seattle in Washington State from 1991 until 1997. He previously served as bishop of Great Falls-Billings in Montana from 1978 to 1987 and as coadjutor archbishop of Seattle from 1987 to 1991.[1]

Biography

Early life

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 3, 1932, Murphy attended Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary by Cardinal Samuel Stritch in 1958. On September 15, 1973, Cardinal John Cody appointed Murphy as rector of Saint Mary Seminary, a post he held until 1978.[2][3]

Bishop of Great Falls-Billings

On July 5, 1978, Murphy was appointed bishop of Great Falls-Billings by Pope Paul VI; he was consecrated by Archbishop Cornelius Power on August 21, 1978.[4][5] In 1979, Murphy addressed the National Catholic Education Association on vocations to the priesthood and their on the importance for the local church.[2]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle

On May 26, 1987, Pope John Paul II appointed Murphy as coadjutor archbishop of Seattle, with immediate right of succession to Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen. Murphy's appointment came after a series of controversies surrounding Hunthausen, first prompted by an apostolic visitation to the archdiocese ordered by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Ratzinger was concerned about Hunthausen violating church doctrine. On December 3, 1985, the pope appointed Reverend Donald Wuerl as auxiliary bishop of Seattle, with authority to overrule Hunthausen in several important areas.[6] After protests from Hunthausen and other American prelates, John Paul II removed Wuerl and appointed Murphy as a coadjutor archbishop with less immediate authority.[6]

Archbishop of Seattle

Murphy automatically became archbishop of Seattle upon Hunthausen's retirement on August 21, 1991. As archbishop, Murphy traveled extensively to parishes around the archdiocese and was an advocate for the poor and disenfranchised. He oversaw an extensive renovation of St. James Cathedral, which was completed in 1994. Under Murphy's administration the archdiocese saw an increase in registered Catholics, and an increase in outreach and ministries for women, various ethnic groups, and LGBTQ individuals.[7]

In 1992, Murphy opened Elizabeth House in Seattle, which provided medical and job training for pregnant teens.[8] For small Washington towns that were suffering from cutbacks in the timber industry, Murphy provided $500,000 to assisting starting small businesses. To help offset the declining numbers of priests, he provided financial support to a Seattle University program to train lay people in assist in some parish duties.

Death and legacy

Murphy was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 1996. He was undergoing chemotherapy when he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. Thomas Murphy died at Providence Medical Center in Seattle on June 26, 1997.[7][9][10] He is interred in the episcopal crypt beneath the main altar of St. James Cathedral in Seattle.

In 1999, Holy Cross High School, a Catholic school in Everett, Washington, was renamed Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School in his honor.[2] In 2000, a new organ built in the apse of St. James Cathedral, was named the Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Millennium Organ. The "Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Memorial Parish Stewardship Award" is named in his honor.[11]

In 2006, the archdiocese dedicated the Archbishop Murphy Courtyard on the south side of the cathedral. It contains a fountain and pool, a marker stone and a statue of Mary, mother of Jesus.[12]

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Self-published source
  2. ↑ a b c "Archbishop Thoms J. Murphy", University of Saint Mary of the Lake
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ The Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Archive
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ "Archbishop Thomas J Murphy Memorial Parish Stewardship Award", Blessed Sacrament Church, Wichita, Kansas
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

  • [1] - official site
  • [2]-interactive timeline of his life
Catholic Church titles
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Bishop of Great Falls-Billings
1978–1987 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check Archbishop of Seattle
1991–1997 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

Template:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle Template:Roman Catholic Diocese of Great Falls–Billings Template:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago Template:Authority control

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