Rev. Msgr. Francis Allan Conlan
Deceased: 2012-06-05
Diocese: SCRANTON
Seminary Graduation Year: 1955
Monsignor F. Allan Conlan, pastor emeritus of St. Eulalia’s Parish, Elmhurst, and a resident of Clearwater, Fla., died Tuesday, June 5, 2012.
Monsignor Conlan, son of the late Dr. Francis J. and Mary Allan Conlan, was born in West Pittston on April 17, 1929.
He graduated from Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, and began his priestly formation at St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore, Md., and completed his studies at the North American College in Rome, Italy. He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 8, 1954, in Rome by Archbishop Martin J. O’Connor, D.D., rector of North American College and former auxiliary bishop of Scranton.
Father Conlan received a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Gregorian University, Rome, Italy, in 1955 and his Ph.D. from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., in 1958.
Monsignor Conlan served as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows, Wyoming; Christ the King, Dunmore; St. Lucy’s, Scranton; St. Thomas the Apostle, Elkland; St. Paul’s, Scranton; and St. Matthew’s, East Stroudsburg. He was administrator of Holy Cross, Scranton; and pastor of Holy Child, Mansfield; Immaculate Conception, Scranton; St. Ignatius, Kingston; and St. Eulalia’s, Elmhurst, and upon his retirement he was named pastor emeritus. After his retirement, Monsignor Conlan served as chaplain of St. Francis Chapel, Eagles Mere; St. Mary’s Villa, Elmhurst; and after his retirement as chaplain of the Marywood Generalate of the I.H.M. Sisters.
Monsignor Conlan was named a prelate of honor by His Holiness on July 10, 1990. Along with his pastoral duties, Monsignor Conlan was associate editor of The Catholic Light from 1958 to 1961 when he became editor-in-chief, a position he held until January 1970. During his tenure as editor of The Catholic Light, Monsignor Conlan produced several of the largest editions in the annals of The Catholic Light, including the Diocesan Centennial in 1968. In addition, he personally directed the production of special supplements on Sacred Scripture, Advent and Vatican II. As an editorial writer, Monsignor Conlan’s columns were reprinted on several occasions by Religious News Service of New York in samplings of comments on topics timely to the life of the church. As a scholar, Monsignor Conlan’s editorial perspective was based on a desire to inform readers on the nature of the changes and new directions taken by the church after the Second Vatican Council. He was cited for his contributions to The Catholic Light by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick in 1970. Monsignor was presented with the Bishop’s Communication Award in 1993. The award was established by the Scranton Diocesan Communication Advisory Commission to honor individuals and organizations for “excellence in overall achievements in communications.”
Monsignor Conlan served the Diocese as a professor at St. Pius X Seminary; a judge in the Diocesan Tribunal; a member of the College of Consultors; and as dean of the Kingston area. He was director of campus ministry at Mansfield State Teachers College while pastor of Holy Child Parish in Mansfield.
Monsignor Conlan is survived by two sisters, Eileen Conlan and Betty Floro, both of Clearwater, Fla.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ann and Mary Katherine Conlan.
Viewing will take place at Immaculate Conception Church, 605 Luzerne St., West Pittston, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, A Vigil Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, West Pittston, at 7 p.m., with Monsignor John J. Bendik, dean, presiding.
A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., bishop of Scranton, at 11 a.m. Friday in Immaculate Conception Church, West Pittston. Viewing will also take place from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the 11 a.m. Funeral Mass on Friday. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton.
