William Francis Murphy, the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, died on March 26, 2026, at the age of 85. A prominent and sometimes polarizing figure in the American Catholic Church, he led one of the nation's largest dioceses for fifteen years. His tenure was marked by his deep commitment to Vatican diplomacy, interfaith dialogue, and Catholic education, as well as the profound challenges of the early twenty-first century.

Born on May 14, 1940, in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, Murphy was raised in a devout Catholic family. He attended the prestigious Boston Latin School before pursuing his calling at St. John's Major Seminary. His theological studies eventually took him to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. Peter's Basilica in 1964, beginning a lifelong vocation of service to the Church.

Following his ordination, Murphy spent a decade serving as an assistant pastor in various Massachusetts parishes while teaching at Emmanuel College and Pope John XXIII Seminary. His academic and diplomatic acumen soon led him back to Rome. In 1980, he was appointed as the undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, a role he held for seven years. During this time, he developed a reputation for his expertise in international relations and was named a chaplain of his holiness by the Vatican.

Returning to his home archdiocese, Murphy was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Boston by Pope John Paul II in 1995. He worked closely with the church hierarchy during a period that would later face intense scrutiny. In 2001, he was appointed as the bishop of Rockville Centre on Long Island. His installation on September 5, 2001, occurred just six days before the September 11 terrorist attacks, thrusting him immediately into a role of pastoral comfort for a grieving community.

As bishop, Murphy championed the apostolate of the laity, strengthened Catholic education, and promoted vocations to the priesthood. He was deeply committed to ecumenical dialogue and served as the head of the Domestic Policy Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. However, his leadership also coincided with the emergence of widespread allegations of clerical sexual abuse. He faced criticism for his prior administrative actions in Boston, though he consistently maintained his dedication to the Church's mission and the spiritual well-being of his flock.

Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age, Murphy submitted his resignation, which was accepted by Pope Francis in late 2016. He continued to serve as apostolic administrator until his successor, Bishop John Barres, was installed in early 2017. In his final years, he was regarded as an elder statesman within the diocese, remembered by supporters for his gift for friendship, his mentorship of young priests, and his steadfast faith. He left behind a complex but enduring legacy on Long Island and throughout the universal Church.