Early Years
Murphy was born at Navan, County Meath, Ireland, eldest son of Arthur Murphy, brewer and distiller, and his wife Bridget, née Flood. Murphy was educated at St Finian's College in Navan, then the diocesan seminary and Maynooth College. He was ordained deacon in 1824 and a priest in 1825; he worked for four years at Bradford and for about seven years at St Patrick's, Liverpool, where he met Dr William Ullathorne who enlisted Murphy for the Australian mission.
Murphy arrived in Sydney in July 1838 and his influence was immediately felt in the diocese. There was much sectarian feeling in Sydney, Murphy proved to be an able defender of his Church. In November 1840, when Bishop John Polding left Sydney on a visit to Europe, Murphy was appointed vicar-general of the diocese during the bishop's absence. On 8 September 1844 Murphy was consecrated first bishop of Adelaide at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. In the following month went to Adelaide, calling in at Port Phillip where he officiated at the first Pontifical High Mass celebrated in Melbourne.
Read more about this topic: Francis Murphy (Australian Cleric)
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