Msgr. Richard J. Wright, 94
The Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Wright, who served several parishes in the Philadelphia area in 65 years as a Roman Catholic priest, died Monday of end-stage dementia. He was 94.
The Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Wright, who served several parishes in the Philadelphia area in 65 years as a Roman Catholic priest, died Monday of end-stage dementia. He was 94.
Msgr. Wright was born in Philadelphia to Vincent Paul Wright and the former Agnes McDevitt. He attended West Catholic High School before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.
He was ordained on Feb. 24, 1945, at the Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul by the Most Rev. Hugh L. Lamb.
He served as parochial vicar at St. Canicus Parish, Mahanoy City; St. Cecilia, Coatesville; St. John the Evangelist, Philadelphia; St. Margaret, Narberth; St. Andrew, Drexel Hill; St. Charles Borromeo, Bensalem; St. Charles Borromeo, Drexel Hill; St. Cyril of Alexandria, East Lansdowne; and St. Colman, Ardmore.
He was pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Stowe from 1973 to 1980, and St. Christopher Parish, Philadelphia, from 1980 to 1988. He retired in July 1996.
Services: Transfer of the Body at St. Colman Church in Ardmore 9 a.m. Monday following a viewing. Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Monday, to be celebrated by Cardinal Justin Rigali. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.
- John F. Morrison