Msgr. Michael Patrick Mooney Dies at 89

On Friday April 10, 2026, Msgr. Michael Patrick Mooney passed into eternal life at the age of 89. Msgr. Mooney served as a priest of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee since its formation and prior to that for the Archdiocese of Mobile and the Diocese of St. Augustine.

A native of Dublin, Ireland, he was born on March 4, 1937. Msgr. Mooney was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 1963 at St. Patrick College Seminary in Carlow, Ireland. He arrived in the United States in July 1963 with his first assignment at St. Mary parish in Ft. Walton Beach. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s he served at St. Thomas the Apostle in Quincy, Sacred Heart in Lanark Village, St. Anne parish in Pensacola and St. Anthony of Padua parish in Pensacola. He also taught at Pensacola Catholic High School. Starting in 1971 he was named first as administrator and then pastor of historic St. Joseph parish in Pensacola where he would remain for nine years.

In December 1980, Msgr. Mooney became the pastor of Nativity of Our Lord parish in Pensacola. He faithfully guided the Nativity community for over 33 years until his retirement in July 2014. Msgr. Mooney also served as the diocesan director of Communications for 30 years from 1984 until his retirement. In that role he acted as diocesan spokesperson, oversaw the Pensacola-Tallahassee edition of The Florida Catholic newspaper and later the beginnings of The Catholic Compass magazine.

He was a member of several diocesan boards and councils including Priests’ Personnel Board, College of Consultors, Council of Priests, and Priests’ Pension Board. He was bestowed with the title of monsignor in September 2000 in recognition of his steadfast dedication to the mission of the Church.

The funeral liturgy for Msgr. Mooney will take place at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Tuesday April 28 at 11:00 a.m. CT. Fr. John Cayer will be the principal celebrant with Fr. John Licari serving as homilist with Bishop William A. Wack, CSC attending. 

A visitation will take place at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on Monday April 27 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. CT including a vigil prayer service beginning at 6:00 p.m. CT led by Bishop William A. Wack, CSC. The faithful are invited to attend to honor and pray for this beloved priest of our diocese. 

May the souls of all the faithful departed, by the mercies of God, rest in Peace.