FATHER BRIEN MURPHY P.E.
15/01/1945-29/08/2025
Father Brien Murphy, who served as a priest of the Diocese of Bathurst for fifty years, has died in Orange aged 80 years.
Father Brien was ordained by Bishop Albert Thomas in St Joseph’s Church, Orange on 29th November 1975. He served as Assistant Priest and Parish Priest in Bathurst, Mudgee, Dubbo, Coolah-Dunedoo, Orange and Oberon, for a time as Resident Priest in Coonabarabran and over several decades, as a Police Chaplain.
He also supplied in many parishes and generously continued the priestly ministry of sacraments, funerals and home visitation across our Diocese and beyond in retirement.
Bishop Michael McKenna gave thanks for Father Brien’s life of commitment to Christ and his people. “He was prepared for death; and kind to everyone to the end. Like many others, I will miss his encouragement and support, conveyed in that wide but gentle smile.”
The Bishop and Priests of the Diocese, gathered for a meeting this week in Wallerawang, will offer Mass for Father Brien in Sacred Heart Church at 5pm on Monday 1st September.
Bishop McKenna will celebrate a Requiem Mass for Fr Brien on Monday 8th September 2025, at 11am in St Joseph’s Church, Orange.
