Diocese of Limerick   
Donal Murray

Bishop Donal Murray

Bishop Murray was born in Dublin in 1940, attended Blackrock College Dublin, obtained his BA and Masters in Philosophy at UCD, his B.Div. at Maynooth and his Licence and Doctorate in Theology at the University of St Thomas, Rome.

He was ordained a priest on 22 May, 1966 and has lectured extensively in Theology and ethical issues. He began lecturing in Mater Dei Institute of Education in 1969, becoming Professor of Moral Theology at Clonliffe College in 1970. In addition to the above positions, from 1973 to 1982, he lectured on Catechetics in UCD and from 1978 to 1982 he lectured in Medical Ethics in UCD.

Bishop Murray is a well-known and respected author in the areas of theology, ethics and social issues, having written three books and numerous articles, booklets and pamphlets.

In 1982, at the age of 41, he was appointed Auxilary Bishop of Dublin. At that time, he was the youngest member of the Irish Hierarchy.
His advice and opinion is highly valued. He served as advisor to the Irish representatives at the World Synod of Bishops in 1977. He is a member of the Vatican's Council for Culture and a member of four Episcopal Commissions. He is the moving force in the Joint Commission for Bio-Ethical issues for the Bishops' Conferences of Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland. He attended the European Synod of Bishops in Rome in Autumn 1999 on behalf of the Irish hierarchy.

Bishop Murray was installed as Bishop of Limerick on 24 March 1996.

by Monsignor John Fleming

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