Msgr. Bernard Malone, 93, dies July 19

Published: July 21, 2017

Msgr. Francis I. Malone, chancellor for ecclesial affairs, addressed the following letter to the priests, deacons and staff of the Diocese of Little Rock regarding the death of his uncle, Msgr. Bernard Malone, on Thursday, July 20, 2017.

"With faith in eternal life I announce the death of my uncle and our brother priest, Monsignor Bernard G. Malone. Msgr. Malone, aged 93, died on July 19 at Parkway Village, Little Rock where he has resided since January.

"At the time of his death he was the oldest priest of the diocese, and first in seniority, having served 67 years of priestly ministry. Born in Philadelphia in 1924, he was a part of the great influx of priests from Philadelphia to Little Rock in the 1900’s.

"Ordained to the sacred priesthood on June 3, 1950, his assignments included associate pastor in Blytheville, St. Patrick, North Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Tontitown, Paragould, St. Mary, North Little Rock, before being named pastor of St. Mary, McGehee and the Missions of Dermott and Dumas.

"He was subsequently named pastor of the Churches in Paragould, West Memphis, St. Mary, Hot Springs, Christ the King, Fort Smith, and founding pastor of St. Bernard, Bella Vista.

"In 1985 he was appointed pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel, followed by St. Patrick, North Little Rock, St. Mary, Hot Springs, again St. Patrick, North Little Rock, and then St. Jude, Jacksonville and St. Rose, Carlisle. In 1994 he was appointed pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Marche, and finally, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hot Springs Village.

"Monsignor Malone was a humble and gentle servant, self-effacing, and loved being a priest. Among his last words were those of one who proclaimed his love of the Church, and his joy in being able to say what a happy life he had been given."

"After sixty years in active ministry he entered retirement, with one brief assignment as administrator of St. Michael, West Memphis and the Mission of Sacred Heart, Crawfordsville. His re-entry into retirement was short-lived as he was named Confessor of The House of Formation, Little Rock, where he remained until December, 2016 when he entered Parkway Village.

"He loved being a priest to the end of his earthly life! He served on virtually every diocesan board, directed the Marian Year of 1987, and was appointed a diocesan consultor in 1994. Our late Holy Father, St. John Paul II named him a “Prelate of Honor” with the title of “monsignor” in 1995.

"Monsignor Malone was a humble and gentle servant, self-effacing, and loved being a priest. Among his last words were those of one who proclaimed his love of the Church, and his joy in being able to say what a happy life he had been given.

"A vigil service with a rosary will be prayed on Sunday night, July 23, at 7:30 in Christ the King Church, Little Rock, with Archbishop J. Peter Sartain presiding. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place, also at Christ the King Church, Little Rock, on Monday, July 24, at 10:00 a.m. with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, presiding. Burial will take place at “Priests’ Circle,” Calvary Cemetery, Little Rock, immediately following the Mass.

"Please offer three Masses for the happy repose of his soul. Please pray for vocations."

Your brother in Christ,
Msgr. Francis I. Malone, nephew
Chancellor for Ecclesial Affairs 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon him. And may he and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.