News Release: On the Death of Bishop James A. Murray

(Lansing, Mich.) — Upon hearing of the death of Bishop James A. Murray, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) wishes to extend to Most Reverend Paul Bradley, Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo and the faithful of the Kalamazoo Diocese heartfelt condolences and prayers for the soul of Bishop Murray. The comments below may be attributed to Paul A. Long, MCC President and CEO.

“For over 50 years Bishop Murray participated in the life of the Michigan Catholic Conference by lending his insights, wisdom and guidance on numerous matters of significant public interest and organizational development. Having first joined the MCC as a liaison officer in 1968, Bishop Murray spent the next five decades holding responsibilities that ranged from a member of the Board of Directors to being appointed to various committees and subcommittees.

“Bishop Murray was affectionately welcomed to the Conference on each occasion for his humor and wit, his vibrant personality, and his love of the priesthood and the Church. He will be fondly remembered for contributing to the growth of the MCC, but more so for the wonderful and kind man that he was to the staff and many others who assisted Bishop Murray in his work.

“I myself feel a deep sense of loss. Bishop Murray was my pastor, prior to being named Bishop of Kalamazoo, a brilliant homilist, a helpful spiritual advisor, and a good friend to myself and many others. He was small in stature but a giant in the Church and the broader community. Bishop Murray is now home with the Lord, and for that, I offer my prayers of gratitude for his life and his witness to the love of Jesus Christ.”

Timeline of Bishop Murray’s Participation with Michigan Catholic Conference

1968–1984

MCC Liaison Officer

9 December 1983

Elected as priest representative to MCC Board of Directors

4 December 1985

Appointed to Divestiture Committee

10 December 1986

Elected to second term on MCC Board of Directors

10 December 1986

Appointed to Investment Policy Committee

10 December 1986

Appointed to Advisory Panel on Commemoration of MCC’s Twenty-Fifth Anniversary

6 December 1989

Last Board meeting—expiration of terms

1989–1998

MCC Liaison Officer

1993

Advisor and author of MCC’s first assisted suicide education program

27 January 1998

Consecrated Bishop of Kalamazoo

1 September 1999

Appointed Chairman of MCC Board Building Committee

November 2003

Authored FOCUS issue (31:3 Nov. 2003): “Reflections of the Fortieth Anniversary of the Michigan Catholic Conference”

3 December 2003

Elected Vice Chairman of MCC Board of Directors

1 December 2004

Appointed to Pension Board

5 June 2009

Last Board meeting before retiring as Bishop of Kalamazoo

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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