Thomas Joseph Murphy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Thomas Joseph Murphy | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Seattle | |
| See | Seattle |
| Installed | August 21, 1991 |
| Term ended | June 26, 1997 |
| Predecessor | Raymond Hunthausen |
| Successor | Alexander Joseph Brunett |
| Other posts | Bishop of Great Falls-Billings (1978–1987) Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle (1987–1991) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | April 12, 1958 by Samuel Stritch |
| Consecration | August 21, 1978 by Cornelius Michael Power |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1932 |
| Died | June 26, 1997 (aged 64) |
| Buried | St. James Cathedral Seattle |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Education | Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary |
| Motto | In 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]
Early life
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
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
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 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.
