Father Frank Moloney passed away on Saturday 8 November 2025.

A renowned biblical scholar and author of seminal texts on the gospels of John and Mark and the book of Revelation, Frank was a highly respected priest, mentor and friend to many. He was a Patron of Catalyst for Renewal and a generous contributor to the spiritual and intellectual life of our association. We note his passing with great sadness and with joy and gratitude for his immense contribution to academic theology and to our church.

Born in Melbourne in 1940, Frank entered the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1960 and was ordained priest in 1970. He obtained his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Salesian Pontifical University (1970), Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute (1972) and his Doctorate from Oxford (1976). His academic appointments included Catholic Theological College (1977-1994), ACU (1994-1999) as Foundation Chair of Theology and Catholic University of America (1999-2005) as Dean and Professor of New Testament. He also taught in Rome, Jerusalem and at Berkeley. He was a member of the Pontifical Theological Commission from 1984-2002.[1]

Michael Whelan SM writes:

“God bless Frank! Last time I saw him was last year. He attended Mass here at St Patricks. I did not know he was in the congregation until he came up to me afterwards. My homily was on a passage from St John’s Gospel!

We can rejoice at the wonderful gifts he gave to many – not only his scholarship on John’s Gospel but his pastoral generosity and friendship.

May he rest in peace.”

[1]     We thank Professor Emmerita Mary Coloe for these details.