Missionaries from Kilmurry Parish

FR MICHAEL MURPHY M.S.C.
By Sean Crowley

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Michael Murphy was born on February 2nd 1911 in Shangdangan, Lissarda the eldest son of James and Elizabeth Murphy (nee Halllissey) a farming family that sold their holding in 1916 to Mr Richard Collins and moved to a larger fan in Gurrane House, Templemartin. The future priest went to Gurrane National School, then to the North Monastery and the sacred Heart College, Cork. Michael made his religious profession on September 21st 1931. He studied in Belgium and Holland, was ordained on 10th August 1936 and shortly afterwards appointed professor of Canon law at Moyne Park, Ballyglunin, Co. Galway. In January 1940 accompanied by three other members of the sacred heart order he departed for the New Guinea mission field.  

The Japanese army invaded New Guinea in early 1943 and made a surprise landing in Taber where Fr. Michael was in charge. He was taken away and executed with another priest on a neighbouring island.

The following is an account from a missionary Bishop writing his first letter since the war to Father Superior, Sacred Heart College, Cork and relating the wonderful and extraordinary fact that on visiting the church of Fr Michael Murphy M.S.C. (killed by the Japanese) the blessed sacrament was found incorrupt after four years. "Thus did the good shepherd stay with his people when his priest had been so cruelly taken away. This is surely Requited Love." In recent years Fr McCarthy M.S.C. went back to New Guinea to look for any information only to find chaos everywhere, but underneath the rubble, they unearthed Mr. Michaels ciborium badly battered. They brought it back and had it beautifully restored and his name engraved on its base together with details on a brass plaque. A plaque to his memory, was unveiled on the 25th March 1952 at St. Columba's College, St Albans, London, by his brother Sean B (Bobby) Murphy Templemartin. Other relatives present were his sisters Maureen and Elizabeth. The deceased priests mother was unable to be present but Mr. Murphy returned thanks to the fathers and teachers on her behalf.

By Sean Crowley
From his book "Templemartin A Proud Tradition"