From the Salesians of Don Bosco – Australia & Pacific
Dear Confreres and Members of the Salesian Family,
With a heavy heart I inform you of the PASSING OF FR FRANCIS J. MOLONEY, SDB, AM, FAHA, STL. PhD.
Just after midday of the 8th November, Father Frank Moloney breathed his last and concluded his 85th year of life – entering into eternal life and receiving the words from the Lord: “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world.” Mt. 25:34.
He was born in Essendon on 23rd March 1940 and began his Salesian Novitiate on 31 Jan. 1960, subsequently professed as a Salesian of Don Bosco on 31 Jan 1961 before Fr. Fedrigotti and Final Vows were received by Fr. Cornell. Frank did his Tirocinium in Sunbury and completed his theological studies at the UPS Rome and then ordained as a priest on 11 July 1970 by Archbishop Knox in the ‘ball room’ Chapel of Rupertswood.
His Salesian ministries were mainly teaching at the UPS, Dean of Studies, Rector, Vice Rector and assistant PP of Oakleigh, Chadstone and Brunswick respectively while lecturing as a professor of theology at CTC from 1976 to 1999. Frank then was ‘on loan’ to the Salesian Province of St. Andrew in the States 1999-2006 during which time he was elected as the President of the American Biblical Commission.
Frank became our Provincial 2006-2011, after which time he resided in Clifton Hill and Sunbury as Vice-Rector, Rector and engaged in teaching at ACU and research work. He was affectionately remembered by his nephew Stephen Moloney, in the following words: “He was always the Australian, wherever he strode the globe”.
He became the Professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological College (1976 -1994), the Visiting Professor at the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem (1993-1994), Foundation Professor of Theology at the ACU (1994 – 1999), Dean and Professor of New Testament at The Catholic University of America (1999-2005) and the holder of the Katherine Drexel Chair of Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America. He is an Emeritus Professor in New Testament Theology at ACU and a Senior Professorial Fellow at the Catholic Theological College in the University of Divinity (Melbourne). He served the Papacy and the Church during multiple terms sitting on the International Theological Commission to the Holy See from 1984 and for 18 years thereafter during its Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Quinquennium, first appointed by Pope John Paul II, and being the only Australian to ever serve three (3) such terms.
He served and led his beloved Order as the Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco (2006-2011).
Frank made significant contributions to both the animation and governance of our Province, as well as to the theological education and formation particularly in the field of scriptures to the diocesan clergy and religious in the Archdiocese of Melbourne locally and in deed internationally. We are grateful to God for the gift of wisdom and knowledge that God afforded Frank, which he shared generously and fruitfully with others throughout his religious life.
I respectfully ask all the Salesian communities to offer Masses and prayers in memory of Frank and for the consolation of his family.
“Eternal Rest grant unto Fr. Frank Moloney O Lord and let perpetually light shine upon him. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”