Peter Murphy Named Executive Director of Evangelization and Catechesis of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

WASHINGTON—Peter J. Murphy, director of the Office of Family Life of the Archdiocese of Washington since 2005, has been named executive director of the Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The appointment will be effective March 7.

Murphy holds a bachelor’s in theology and master’s degrees in theology and counseling from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. He has undertaken extensive post-graduate work in catechesis at The Catholic University of America and is currently completing a doctorate in ministry degree from the same institution.

At the Archdiocese of Washington, Murphy oversaw sacramental preparation and family life programming and helped revise the archdiocesan religion curriculum. He also trained catechists and assisted in implementing archdiocesan evangelization initiatives. Murphy has collaborated with USCCB in its Defense of Marriage efforts and contributed a family retreat guide on marriage to USCCB’s 2010 Catechetical Sunday resources.

From 2000-2003, Murphy served as director of student life and faith formation at St. Mary’s College of Ave Maria University in Orchard Lake, Michigan. His teaching experience includes parish and high school catechism, as well as teaching and adjunct faculty work at Cathedral Elementary School, Gallup, New Mexico, St. Mary’s College of Ave Maria University, and Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Pennsylvania. In 2000, he worked as a missionary in Mexico, constructing homes and leading talks and prayer groups. He also implemented a grade school human sexuality and chastity program in Gallup, New Mexico.

A Washington native, Murphy lives in Bowie, Maryland with his wife of 10 years and three sons. They attend Sacred Heart Parish in Bowie.

The Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis serves the USCCB in the tasks of evangelizing and catechizing both Catholics and those who might be interested in joining the Catholic Church. Staff in the office offer information and advice on the needs, trends and challenges related to proclaiming and teaching the faith. This includes helping bishops review and/or develop materials for religious instruction. The bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis also addresses matters relating to the missionary aspect of the Church and stewardship among Catholics.

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Keywords: Evangelization and Catechesis, Peter J. Murphy, executive director, Archdiocese of Washington, Defense of Marriage, Catechetical Sunday, catechism

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