Murray previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Hartford in Connecticut from 1920 to 1925 and as bishop of the Diocese of Portland in Maine from 1925 to 1932.
Biography
Early life
John G. Murray was born on February 26, 1877, in
paperboy in his youth.[4] He received his early education at Waterbury Public Schools and graduated from high school in 1895.[2]
ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Josephus van der Stappen for the Diocese of Hartford on April 14, 1900.[7] His first assignments, following his return to Connecticut, were as chaplain at the Hartford County Jail and as professor of Greek and Latin at St. Thomas Preparatory Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut.[2] He became chancellor of the diocese in 1903.[1]
Murray was the first native of Connecticut to become a Catholic bishop, and the first auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Hartford.[4] In addition to his episcopal duties, he was named pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Hartford in 1922.[2]
Diocese of Portland
Following the death of Bishop Louis Walsh, Murray was appointed the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Portland in Maine by Pope Pius XI on May 29, 1925.[7] His installation took place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland on October 12, 1925.[7] During his five-year tenure in Portland, Murray established thirty new parishes and dedicated himself to Catholic education.[5] He also founded a diocesan weekly newspaper, Church World, in 1930.[5]
During the
mortgage church property to continue funding hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions.[5] Consequently, the diocese accumulated millions of dollars in debt.[5]
Archdiocese of Saint Paul
Murray was appointed by Pius XI as the third archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul on October 29, 1931.
Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul on January 27, 1932.[7] To address the continuing effects of the Great Depression, Murray began a crusade of charity to support the poor and unemployed, and made himself available to the public by taking public transit and walking in the downtown areas.[9]
During his 24-year tenure, Murray established over 50 new parishes, eliminated debt at the
Eucharistic Congress was held at Saint Paul, an event which many considered a testament to Murray's influence.[9] In 1949, he ordered Catholic parents to not allow their children to receive sex education in public or private schools.[6] He also served as a member of the administrative board of the National Catholic Welfare Council.[6]
John Murray died of cancer in St. Paul on October 11, 1956, at age 79. He is interred at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.[9]
References
^ abCurtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
^ abcdAthans, Mary Christine (2002). "To Work for the Whole People": John Ireland's Seminary in St. Paul. Mahwah: Paulist Press.