Roland E. Murphy

One of my heros. As bright, famous, etc as Roland was, he always had time for conversation with "us little guys." He truly listened no matter the topic. I was his student and also his barber for a time in the 60's - we talked. We talked at the University of Missouri where he was visiting in the eighties. I visited him in the beginning of the next century in D.C. Always gracious. Always interesting. Always listening. A great scholar. A great Carmelite. A great man. I remember him with love.

Fr. Roland gave the best one-minute homilies yet.

Roland was one of my heroes. He was an enormously bright light in my introduction to the study of theology. He challenged all of us students at Whitefriars to question the conventional answers -- about the Old Testament, surely. But also about other conventional and convenient truths. He not only challenged us to do this but exemplifed what it meant to do so in his own work and teaching. It was an honor to be one of his students.

Roland Murphy was a great teacher, a great Carmelite, a great man. We both considerate it a great privilege to have been taught by him at Whitefriars Hall

Roland Murphy was a great teacher, a great Carmelite, a great man. We both considerate it a great privilege to have been taught by him at Whitefriars Hall

I offer my condolences to Father David and to all the Carmelites who have lost an outstanding brother in Father Roland. The Church in America is poorer for his passing because of the great contributions he made to biblical studies.



I had the great privilege of studying under Roland from 1958 to 1962 at Whitefriars Hall and benefited greatly from his learning. One experience stands out in my mind. During the summer of 1962 I was studying Hebrew as part of the admission requirement for a graduate program at Catholic University. Roland agreed to tutor me. After supper each evening during that summer we would take a walk around the courtyard at Whitefriars Hall and he would grill and instruct me in Hebrew. One night after we had walked a long time we got into an unrelated conversation about life and--as a 26-year old student--I asked him how a man could remain alert and alive into old age. His answer, not surprisingly, was "You have to keep studying. Learning, constant learning, is what keeps us alive." Roland kept learning and helped many to remain alive. May God bless him for his long life and good work.

I met Roland Murphy at Duke Divinity School in 1975 where he was my professor, mentor and friend. To me he exemplified commitment, discipline, loyalty, humility, generosity, kindness and goodness--all grounded in his love of God. My gratitude for having been privileged to know him these 27 years knows no bounds.



Helen McConnell

On behalf of all the Duffner family, whose connection to the Carmelites goes back to 1926, I offer to Fr. David and all the Carmellites our sincere and most heartfelt condolences. Although I never met Fr. Roland, from what I have been told by my parents years ago and my brothers, the Carmelites have lost a pillar of the Carmel community.



May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.



Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pary for him.

It has been a priviledge to call this wonderful man, priest & brother a friend.