Cornelius Patrick (‘Con’) Murphy was born on 3rd April 1936 in Kilmurry, Co Cork. He was educated at Kilbonane NS, and St Finbarr’s College, Farrenferris, Cork. He entered Dalgan Park, Navan in September 1954 and was ordained priest on 21st December 1960.
Appointed to Korea in 1961, after initial language studies he served in Hoeng Seng, Kangwando from 1962l-1964. After further language studies during 1964-1965, he served as assistant in Hong Chon Parish over the following two years.
Con served as Pastor in Chorwon Parish during 1966-1967, then as Pastor in Hong Chon Parish 1968-1972. He was appointed Chaplain to the Sacred Heart College for Women 1972-1976. There followed a two-year appointment as Pastor in Yang Yang Parish, Kangwando 1976-1977, before becoming Pastor in Kyo Dong Parish, Sokcho from 1977-1981. All the above appointments were part of Chun Chon Diocese.
From 1982-1983 Con served as Pastor in Yeon Dong Parish, Mokpo City in the Archdiocese of Kwangju. Then from 1983-1986 he was Pastor in Sangdaewon Dong, in Song Nam City, in the Diocese of Suwon. From 1986-1991 he was Pastor of Kojan Parish, in Inchon Diocese. From 1991-1996 he was Pastor in Ka Jong Dong, Inchon City, and from 1997-2003 he was Pastor in Ojeong Dong, Puchon City.
In 2003 he was appointed to the Archdiocese of Seoul as Pastor of Ho Pyeong Dong, Nam Yangju City. Health problems forced him to leave this appointment in June 2004.
Over the following thirteen years, from 2005 to 2018 he summarised his many ministries as follows: Weekly Mass Supplies in various Seoul Parishes, Chaplain to the Seoul Community of the Brothers of Charity and Confessor to various communities and groups.
In June 2018 he was appointed to Ireland.
Con was a quiet, serious, private person, a good host, a serious reader and a helpful colleague. Over the past eight years he has been a cheerful, good-humoured member of the Dalgan Community.
He made the transition to the Nursing Home earlier this year as his health deteriorated further. He suffered many prolonged visits to various hospitals and he died peacefully on 29th June in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
May he rest in peace.
The Funeral Mass for Fr Con can be seen here:
