America's Largest Catholic Newspaper
Father Edward “Ned” Murphy, S.J., who was deeply involved in social justice issues, died April 4 at Montefiore Medical Center’s Moses Hospital in the Bronx. He was 74.
Much of his priestly ministry involved civil rights advocacy, service to the poor and opposition to violence and war, including taking part in non-violent public demonstrations and civil disobedience during the 1960s and 1970s that sometimes led to his arrest and imprisonment.
He served several years as a counselor with abandoned and runaway youth in the Times Square area, eventually establishing a residence for them in the north Bronx. This program evolved into Part of the Solution (P.O.T.S.), which opened in 1982 and continues to provide emergency food, clothing, legal counsel, addiction referral and other services to the needy.
He also conducted 12-step retreats for those dependent on drugs or alcohol.
He taught Latin, Greek and religion at Jesuit-run Brooklyn Preparatory School, 1962-1965.
Born in the Bronx, he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1955. He was ordained to the priesthood at Fordham University Church in the Bronx in 1968. He had studied theology at Woodstock College in Maryland.
A Funeral Mass was offered April 10 at Fordham University Church. Burial was at the Jesuit Cemetery in Auriesville.
