Posted July 16, 2025

Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Carroll, Pastor Emeritus, Saint Hilary of Poitiers Parish, Rydal, died on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Monsignor Carroll was born on September 16, 1934, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Thomas J. Carroll and the late Margaret Farrell. Monsignor Carroll attended Saint Rose of Lima Elementary School, Philadelphia and Saint Thomas More Catholic High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Monsignor Carroll was ordained on May 13, 1961, at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia by Most Reverend John J. Krol. Monsignor Carroll served as Parochial Vicar, Saint Mark Parish, Bristol. He served on the Faculty at Bishop Kenrick High School from 1964-1974. He then served as Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools from 1974-1985.

He also served as Vice Rector at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary from 1985-1988. He served as Parochial Administrator then Pastor at Saint Timothy Parish, Philadelphia, from 1988-1994. In December 1994 he was appointed Pastor, Saint Hilary of Poitiers Parish, Rydal, and named Pastor Emeritus in June 2004. From June 2004 until June 2009, he served as Parochial Vicar with Senior Priest status at Saint Katharine of Siena Parish, Wayne.

Monsignor Carroll was known for his work in ecumenism and interfaith relations. He served as the director of the archdiocesan Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, participated in the Interfaith Council on the Holocaust and worked with the Anti-Defamation League to design a curriculum for Catholic schools. In 2022 he was presented the Dare to Understand Award in 2022, the top honor of the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia and Interfaith Philadelphia.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Saint Katharine of Siena Church, Wayne, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 9:00 AM followed by a viewing. Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez will celebrate the Funeral Mass on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Kevin Murray, Reverend Monsignor John J. Jagodzinski, and Reverend Monsignor Hans A. L. Brouwers, who will be the homilist.

Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.