CNEWA trustee, the Most Rev. William F. Murphy, bishop emeritus of Rockville Centre, received CNEWA’s Faith and Culture Award during a reception in Rome marking the reopening of the offices of CNEWA and its operating agency in the Middle East, Pontifical Mission.
As a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston, he earned a doctorate in sacred theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and was ordained a priest at the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City in 1964. After ten years of teaching and pastoral work in his home diocese, then Father Murphy returned to Rome where he became a member of the Pontifical Commission Justitia et Pax. In 1980, Pope John Paul II appointed him undersecretary, a post he held for seven years.
“For his many years in service to the people of God as bishop, pastor, teacher and ambassador of peace in the Americas and throughout the world, CNEWA is privileged and honored to give its Faith and Culture Award to Bishop William F. Murphy,” said CNEWA President Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari. “Always, as his episcopal motto ‘No Other Name’ declares, Bishop Murphy has placed Jesus in the center of his life, mission and work.”
The reception, sponsored by Peter’s Way Tours and the Kolbe Hotel, was held on Wednesday evening, 19 April, at the Kolbe Hotel, located near the Roman Forum, where according to ancient tradition, the Eternal City was founded. The CNEWA delegation was also in Rome to participate in the annual rector’s dinner at the Pontifical North American College, where Bishop Murphy was one of the guests of honor.