Jerome Murphy-O'Connor
Encyclopedia
Reverend Dr
Jerome Murphy-O'Connor O.P.
, (born 10 April 1935 in Cork
in Ireland
as James Murphy-O'Connor) is a Dominican
priest, a leading authority on St. Paul and Professor
of New Testament
at the École Biblique in Jerusalem, a position that he has held since 1967.
. Murphy-O'Connor attended the Christian Brothers College
in Cork
, going on to attend the Vincentian
run Castleknock College
in Dublin. While there he decided to become a Dominican
priest.
Murphy-O'Connor entered the Dominican Novitiate in Cork in September 1953, giving up his baptismal name 'James' and to take a new name in religion, 'Jerome', a symbol of his commitment to his faith. Bearing in mind his future career, this was an apt choice, as Jerome
is the patron saint of Biblical studies
. After novitiate he studied Philosophy
for a year before studying at Tallaght
and at the University of Fribourg
in Switzerland
. Murphy-O'Connor was ordained priest
in July 1960. In Fribourg the core of his scholarly life emerged, his first serious study as a lecturer
being on the theme of Preaching in St. Paul, which he later developed into a doctoral
thesis under the direction of the Dominican and Biblical
scholar, Ceslas Spicq.
in 1962. In 1963 he studied in Rome
, and researched the Dead Sea Scrolls
at the University of Heidelberg, and New Testament
theology
at the University of Tübingen. From there he went to Jerusalem to the École Biblique, which was to become his religious, scholarly and even personal home for the next forty years. Jerusalem and Israel
were to become the centre of his life and work. The École Biblique, founded in 1890 by French
Dominican
scholars, was an internationally renowned centre for Biblical studies
and Biblical archaeology
. He remains there to this day, having been appointed Professor of New Testament
in 1967.
Oxford University Press
invited him to write an archaeological guide to the Holy Land which was published in 1980. This was translated into several languages with a revised edition in 1986, and has become the standard guide-book. Murphy-O’Connor has lectured around the world and made numerous television appearances, including Le Mystère Paul (2000), Jesus: The Complete Story (2001), The Search for John the Baptist (2005), The Lost Tomb of Jesus
(2007), and Christianity: A History for Channel 4
(2009).
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
Jerome Murphy-O'Connor O.P.
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
, (born 10 April 1935 in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
as James Murphy-O'Connor) is a Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
priest, a leading authority on St. Paul and Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
at the École Biblique in Jerusalem, a position that he has held since 1967.
Biography
Born in 1935 to Kerry Murphy-O’Connor and Mary McCrohan, the eldest of four children, his cousin is Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the tenth Archbishop of WestminsterArchbishop of Westminster
The Archbishop of Westminster heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster, in England. The incumbent is the Metropolitan of the Province of Westminster and, as a matter of custom, is elected President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and therefore de facto spokesman...
. Murphy-O'Connor attended the Christian Brothers College
Christian Brothers College, Cork
Christian Brothers College, Cork is a fee-paying Catholic school under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust in Cork, Ireland....
in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, going on to attend the Vincentian
Lazarists
Congregation of the Mission is a vowed order of priests and brothers associated with the Vincentian Family, a loose federation of organizations who claim St. Vincent de Paul as their founder or Patron...
run Castleknock College
Castleknock College
Castleknock College is a private , secondary school for boys aged between 13 and 18, which is situated in the residential suburb of Castleknock, 8 km west of the city centre in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
in Dublin. While there he decided to become a Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
priest.
Murphy-O'Connor entered the Dominican Novitiate in Cork in September 1953, giving up his baptismal name 'James' and to take a new name in religion, 'Jerome', a symbol of his commitment to his faith. Bearing in mind his future career, this was an apt choice, as Jerome
Jerome
Saint Jerome was a Roman Christian priest, confessor, theologian and historian, and who became a Doctor of the Church. He was the son of Eusebius, of the city of Stridon, which was on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia...
is the patron saint of Biblical studies
Biblical studies
Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...
. After novitiate he studied Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
for a year before studying at Tallaght
Tallaght
Tallaght is the largest town, and county town, of South Dublin County, Ireland. The village area, dating from at least the 17th century, held one of the earliest settlements known in the southern part of the island, and one of medieval Ireland's more important monastic centres.Up to the 1960s...
and at the University of Fribourg
University of Fribourg
The University of Fribourg is a university in the city of Fribourg, Switzerland.The roots of the University can be traced back to 1582, when the notable Jesuit Peter Canisius founded the Collège Saint-Michel in the City of Fribourg. In 1763, an Academy of law was founded by the state of Frobourg...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Murphy-O'Connor was ordained priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in July 1960. In Fribourg the core of his scholarly life emerged, his first serious study as a lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
being on the theme of Preaching in St. Paul, which he later developed into a doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
thesis under the direction of the Dominican and Biblical
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
scholar, Ceslas Spicq.
École Biblique
He received his DoctorateDoctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in 1962. In 1963 he studied in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, and researched the Dead Sea Scrolls
Dead Sea scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of 972 texts from the Hebrew Bible and extra-biblical documents found between 1947 and 1956 on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they derive their name...
at the University of Heidelberg, and New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the University of Tübingen. From there he went to Jerusalem to the École Biblique, which was to become his religious, scholarly and even personal home for the next forty years. Jerusalem and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
were to become the centre of his life and work. The École Biblique, founded in 1890 by French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
scholars, was an internationally renowned centre for Biblical studies
Biblical studies
Biblical studies is the academic study of the Judeo-Christian Bible and related texts. For Christianity, the Bible traditionally comprises the New Testament and Old Testament, which together are sometimes called the "Scriptures." Judaism recognizes as scripture only the Hebrew Bible, also known as...
and Biblical archaeology
Biblical archaeology school
Biblical archaeology, also known as Palestinology is the school of archaeology which concerns itself with the biblical world.-18th Century:...
. He remains there to this day, having been appointed Professor of New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
in 1967.
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
invited him to write an archaeological guide to the Holy Land which was published in 1980. This was translated into several languages with a revised edition in 1986, and has become the standard guide-book. Murphy-O’Connor has lectured around the world and made numerous television appearances, including Le Mystère Paul (2000), Jesus: The Complete Story (2001), The Search for John the Baptist (2005), The Lost Tomb of Jesus
The Lost Tomb of Jesus
The Lost Tomb of Jesus is a documentary co-produced and first broadcast on the Discovery Channel and Vision TV in Canada on March 4, 2007, covering the discovery of the Talpiot Tomb. It was directed by Canadian documentary and film maker Simcha Jacobovici and produced by Felix Golubev and Ric...
(2007), and Christianity: A History for Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
(2009).
Select publications
- 1 Corinthians by Jerome Murphy O'Connor, Bible Reading Fellowship, ISBN 0745932800 (0-7459-3280-0)
- Becoming Human Together: The Pastoral Anthropology of St. Paul by Jerome M. O'Connor, Veritas Publications, ISBN 0894530755 (0-89453-075-5)
- Colossians by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Continuum International Publishing Group, Limited, ISBN 072200558X (0-7220-0558-X)
- The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700 by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Oxford Univ Pr, ISBN 0199236666 (0-19-923666-6)
- Jesus and Paul: Parallel Lives by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, St Pauls Publications, ISBN 1921032359 (1-921032-35-9)
- Paul by Laurence Bright, Henry Wansbrough, Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Continuum International Publishing Group, Limited, ISBN 0722006713 (0-7220-0671-3)
- Paul : A Critical Life by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, ISBN 0198267495 (0-19-826749-5)
- Paul and Qumran: Studies in New Testament Exegesis by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Continuum International Publishing Group, Limited, ISBN 0225275481 (0-225-27548-1)
- Paul and the Dead Sea Scrolls by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, James H. Charlesworth Crossroad Publishing Company, ISBN 0824510003 (0-8245-1000-3)
- Paul : His Story by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0199283842 (0-19-928384-2)
- More editions of Paul: His Story: Paul II by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Laurence Bright, Henry Wansbrough Acta Pubns, ISBN 0879460105 (0-87946-010-5)
- Paul the Letter-Writer: His World, His Options, His Skills by Jerome M. O'Connor Michael Glazier Books, ISBN 0814658458 (0-8146-5845-8)
- St. Paul's Corinth : Texts and Archaeology by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, Liturgical Press, ISBN 0814653030 (0-8146-5303-0)
- The Theology of the Second Letter to the Corinthians by Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, James D. G. Dunn, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0521358981 (0-521-35898-1)
External links
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1166717/Murphy-O'Connor on the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
] - http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/stories/s1364780.htmMurphy-O'Connor interviewed on Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralian Broadcasting CorporationThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
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