By:Tom Jordan and Angela Marshall
Local religious leaders reacted with enthusiasm to the appointment of the Most Rev. William Francis Murphy as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
And although Bishop Murphy, who will begin serving as spiritual leader of Long Island's 1.5 million Catholics in September,
never stepped foot into Rockville Centre before the announcement on June 26, he is no stranger to some Long Islanders.
His name was high on a list submitted to Pope John Paul II by Catholic leaders on Long Island. Retired Bishop John McGann had met the new leader several times, first in Rome and later at conferences in Boston.
"I knew immediately that he would be a good fit," McGann said. "I was very happy for a number of reasons: One, his age is right; he's 61. He's healthy and he's had tremendous experience both in Rome and as the chief operating officer under Cardinal [Bernard] Law in Boston."
Murphy has served as vicar general and moderator for the Archdiocese of Boston since 1993. He was ordained a priest at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome in 1964 and, for the first five years of his priesthood, served as an assistant pastor in Boston and taught theology at Emmanuel College. In 1972, he was assigned to doctoral studies in systematic theology in Rome, which he completed in two years.
Upon his return home to Boston, Murphy taught theology at Pope John XIII National Seminary in Weston. Within a few months, he was appointed to the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in Rome. He seved the Holy See from 1975 to 1987, during which time he participated in Vatican delegations in Asia, Latin America and Europe. He also taught theology at the two pontifical universities in Rome, the Gregorian and the Angelicum.
Named an honorary prelate, Murphy returned to Boston in 1987, where he held a variety of positions, including administrator of Sacred Heart Parish in Lexington, director of the Office of Social Justice and the secretary for community relations. In 1993, Cardinal Law appointed him vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Archdiocese of Boston.
McGann also said Murphy has the right personality for the diocese. "He impressed me as a people person, intelligent with a rich background. So I don't think he can do anything but help us."
Many Long Island Catholics had trouble warming up to McGann's successor, James T. McHugh, who died last September. He was diagnosed with cancer before his installation as the third bishop of the diocese.
"Bishop McHugh was a shy person and his health prevented him from getting out to meet the people," McGann said.
Following McHugh's death in December, McGann said he prayed that the Pope would give Long Island a new bishop soon. After leading the diocese for more than 20 years, McGann could not rest easy until he knew that a suitable replacement had been found. He said he is glad the Pope saw fit to appoint such a strong man.
Local parishioners have echoed McGann's thoughts.
"I am impressed with his credentials. It's a great honor to have someone who is so well qualified," said Father William Jablonski of St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church in East Rockaway. "I think Murphy has the potential to be not only a local leader, but a church leader throughout the country."
Others applauded Murphy's pro-life beliefs and his desire to forge a closer relationship with the Jewish population of Rockville Centre.
"I look forward to meeting with him and hope that we can work together on social action causes," said Rabbi Michael Singer of Malverne Jewish Centre.
Father Larry Penzez of Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church in Lynbrook said these are "important steps we need to take in the Dioseces in the new millenium."
Tim Mulhearn, president of the United New Yorkers for Choice in Education, studied under Murphy at Pope John XIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass., and called him an "outstanding teacher."
The class was Catholic Social Teaching and Mulhearn believes that many of the issues they discussed in class are central to the bishop's beliefs. Mulhearn said Murphy is very committed to criminal justice and that he has a very broad interpretation to the term. Among the issues he has heard the bishop speak out about are his dedication to the poor, the unborn, health care and Catholic education.
Mulhearn said he believes Murphy is a combination of the best of Long Island's last two bishops. "Both Bishop McGann and Bishop McHugh each had their own style, own characteristics. And I think Bishop Murphy combines a lot of the outgoing, friendly qualities that Bishop McGann has," he said. "But at the same time he's very much the scholar [like McHugh]."
Rev. Msgr. John Alesandro, diocesan administrator, also has a long history with Bishop Murphy. The two studied together at the North American College in Rome. Alesandro could not be reached for comment late last week because he was in Boston meeting with Murphy.
"As you can see, Bishop Murphy will bring to our diocese much pastoral expertise and a long history of service to the local and universal Church," Alesandro said. "His presence among us is truly a blessing."
The Most Rev. William Francis Murphy was introduced Tuesday, June 26 as the Pope's choice to be the fourth bishop of Rockville Centre. Murphy, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston since 1995, in September will begin serving as spiritual leader of Long Island's 1.5 million Catholics.
"I will cease being diocesan administrator very happily on Sept. 5," said John Alesandro, who was named to that position after Bishop James T. McHugh died of cancer Dec. 10, at the age of 68. As administrator, Alesandro ran the diocese on an interim basis. "I just found out how long my term was," he joked.
