ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Reverend Monsignor Richard J. Wright, Retired and Resident, Villa Saint Joseph, Darby, died of end stage dementia at Villa Saint Joseph on Monday, April 12, 2010.

Monsignor Wright was born on September 3, 1915, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the son of the late Vincent Paul Wright and the late Agnes McDevitt. Monsignor Wright attended Our Lady of Lourdes Parochial School, Philadelphia, and West Philadelphia Catholic High School before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Monsignor Wright was ordained on February 24, 1945, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend Hugh L. Lamb and named Honorary Prelate to His Holiness Pope John Paul II on March 16, 2005. Monsignor Wright served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Canicus Parish, Mahanoy City; Saint Cecilia Parish, Coatesville; Saint John the Evangelist Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Margaret Parish, Narberth; Saint Andrew Parish, Drexel Hill; Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Bensalem; Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Drexel Hill; Saint Cyril of Alexandria Parish, East Lansdowne; and Saint Colman Parish, Ardmore. Monsignor Wright also served as Pastor, Saint Gabriel Parish, Stowe, from 1973 through 1980, and as Pastor, Saint Christopher Parish, Philadelphia, from 1980 through 1988. Monsignor Wright retired in July 1996.

The service of the Transfer of the Body will be held at Saint Colman Church, Ardmore, on Monday, April 19, 2010, at 9:00 AM, followed by a viewing. His Eminence Cardinal Justin Rigali will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Monsignor Wright at Saint Colman Church on Monday, April 19, 2010, at 11:00 AM. Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Charles E. Gormley, Reverend Monsignor Ignatius L. Murray, Reverend Monsignor Joseph W. Murray, Reverend Monsignor Thomas A. Murray, and Reverend James C. Sherlock. Monsignor Joseph Murray will be the homilist.

Monsignor Wright is survived by his nieces and nephews. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Contact
Bonnie Olinger
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747