Three priests of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have died in recent weeks and, because of restrictions on public gatherings during the current coronavirus pandemic, all had private funerals. No indications were that the priests had died from COVID-19.
Father Robert T. Feeney, 63, former pastor of six parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, died April 7.
Born in Philadelphia, the son of the late Charles R. Feeney and the late Rita J. (Dever) Feeney, he attended Nativity B.V.M. School in Philadelphia and Northeast Catholic High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
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He was ordained May 17, 1986 by Cardinal John Krol at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul and his first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Ambrose Parish, Philadelphia. He then served as parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish, Philadelphia and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Philadelphia.
He was then assigned as parochial administrator and pastor of St. Clement Parish, Philadelphia; pastor of All Saints Parish, Philadelphia; pastor of St. Leo Parish, Philadelphia; pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Philadelphia; administrator and pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Milmont Park and parochial vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish, Philadelphia.
Father Feeney is survived by four brothers, one sister and many nieces and nephews.
Father James J. Mulligan, 81, died April 14.
Born in Darby, the son of the late James Joseph Mulligan and the late Josephine (Kaminiski) Mulligan, he attended St. Charles Borromeo School in Philadelphia and West Catholic High School for Boys before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
He continued his studies at the Seminario Romano Maggiore and the Pontifical Lateran Seminary in Rome. He was ordained March 13, 1966 in Rome by Cardinal Luigi Traglia.
He served as parochial vicar at St. Cecilia Parish, Coatesville, and faculty member at Bishop McDevitt High School. He then served as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Doylestown until his June 2014 retirement.
Father Mulligan is survived by his sister, Dolly (Josephine) Cabrelli.
Msgr. Joseph W. Murray, 87, pastor emeritus of St. Stanislaus Parish, Lansdale, died April 18.
Born in Philadelphia, the son of the late Ignatius L. Murray and the late Mary H. (Guinivan) Murray, he attended Huston Public School, Holy Cross School and La Salle College High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
He was ordained May 13, 1961 by Archbishop John J. Krol at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul and his first assignment was as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Ransom Parish, Philadelphia.
He served on the faculty at Bishop Kenrick High School and was principal at St. Pius X High School, Bishop Kenrick High School and Bishop McDevitt High School.
He then served as pastor of Holy Name Parish, Philadelphia and pastor of St. Stanislaus Parish, Lansdale, where he was named pastor emeritus in 2008.
Msgr. Murray is survived by three brothers and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Masses will be celebrated for Father Feeney, Father Mulligan and Msgr. Murray at later dates.
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