William Francis Murphy

William Francis Murphy (born May 11, 1885 in Kalamazoo, Michigan) was the first Roman Catholic bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw in Saginaw, Michigan. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 13, 1908 at St. John Lateran in Rome. He was consecrated as bishop of the newly-founded Diocese of Saginaw by order from Pope Pius XI. His episcopal motto was "Agenda ademple" meaning "To fulfill one's duties." He died on February 7, 1950 aged 64.

Education

Attended the Leferve Institute in Kalamazoo, Michigan, St. Jerome College (Waterloo) and Assumption College (Windsor) in Ontario, Canada, and the North American College in Rome.

Early Assignments

After his ordination as a priest, Murphy was assigned to be associate pastor at St. Thomas Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. [”Kindly Spirit Motivated Bishop Murphy” (February 7, 1950) Saginaw News.] He later served at Holy Cross Church, Marine City, Michigan, and SS. Peter and Paul (later Blessed Sacrament Cathedral) in Detroit. [”Kindly Spirit Motivated Bishop Murphy” (February 7, 1950) Saginaw News.] In 1921, he was assigned to serve as pastor of St. David Church in Detroit. While serving at St. David he was named a monsignor by Pope Pius XII. [”Kindly Spirit Motivated Bishop Murphy” (February 7, 1950) Saginaw News.]

Personality

Bishop Murphy was known for wit and his humility. In one Christmas message, Bishop Murphy said, "Christ began His mission of saving and redeeming the human race by being born in the sqaulor of a stable. He ennobled poverty." [”Kindly Spirit Motivated Bishop Murphy” (February 7, 1950) Saginaw News.] He was a close friend of poet Edgar Guest with whom he often golfed and fished. It was Guest who wrote of Bishop Murphy:"A bishop, bass upon his hook,Rod bent and taut line swishing,Without his robe and shepherd's crookIs just a man out fishing." [”Kindly Spirit Motivated Bishop Murphy” (February 7, 1950) Saginaw News.]

External links

* [http://www.saginaw.org/bishops/3 Bishop William F. Murphy biography] on the Diocese of Saginaw website

References