Thomas Joseph Murphy

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His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Thomas Joseph Murphy
Archbishop of Seattle
SeeSeattle
InstalledAugust 21, 1991
Term endedJune 26, 1997
PredecessorRaymond Hunthausen
SuccessorAlexander Joseph Brunett
Other postsBishop of Great Falls-Billings (1978–1987)
Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle (1987–1991)
Orders
OrdinationApril 12, 1958
by Samuel Stritch
ConsecrationAugust 21, 1978
by Cornelius Michael Power
Personal details
BornOctober 3, 1932
Chicago, Illinois, US
DiedJune 26, 1997(1997-06-26) (aged 64)
Seattle, Washington, US
BuriedSt. James Cathedral
Seattle
DenominationRoman Catholic
EducationSaint Mary of the Lake Seminary
MottoIn Christo gaudium et spes
(In Christ joy and hope)

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

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Early life

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Born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 3, 1932, Thomas Murphy attended Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.[2][3]

Murphy 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

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On July 5, 1978, Murphy was appointed bishop of Great Falls-Billings by Pope Paul VI; he was consecrated in Great Falls, Montana, 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][failed verification]

Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle

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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

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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 in Seattle, 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

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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 1999, Holy Cross High School in Everett, Washington was renamed Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy High School in his honor.[2] In 2000, a new organ 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. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).[self-published source]
  2. ^ a b c d "Archbishop Thoms J. Murphy", University of Saint Mary of the Lake
  3. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ^ "Archbishop Thomas J Murphy Memorial Parish Stewardship Award", Blessed Sacrament Church, Wichita, Kansas
  12. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  • [1] - official site
  • [2]-interactive timeline of his life

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