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Remembering Father Frank Moloney
Mary L Coloe
Last Saturday, November 8th, our dear colleague, teacher, mentor and above all, friend, Frank Moloney passed fully into the eternity life of God. Frank had been seriously ill since December 2024, and while he tried various therapies, in the end, he was ready to surrender into the hands of the God he knew so well. Frank was always a priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco, available for whatever his brothers needed, in schools, as their formator and leader.
Following his studies at Melbourne University, he gained his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Salesian Pontifical University (1970) and Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute (1972). He gained his doctorate from Oxford under the direction of Prof Morna Hooker (1976). He returned to Melbourne to teach at Catholic Theological College (1977-1994) before being appointed as the Foundation Chair of Theology at ACU (1994-1999). The primary focus of Frank’s research, publishing and teaching was the Gospel of John and I had the good fortune to sit in his John class at CTC and then work on my doctorate with Frank as my supervisor. What a great blessing! At this time, he was moving into a new methodology of Narrative Criticism which led to many further works on John’s Gospel, and then Mark, Revelation and Matthew.
Frank encouraged his students to go on with their studies, and particularly he gave strong support to women. Along with all the academic demands on him, Frank was available to parishes and religious groups around Australia, providing further theological education; for Frank, as a true Salesian, was first and foremost a great teacher with the ability to make complex ideas understandable, even to those with no prior theology. His down-to-earth Australian language and humour helped him disclose the riches of the Scriptures.
After his time at ACU, he was sought by the Catholic University of America as Dean and Professor of New Testament (1999-2005). Again, his teaching and doctoral supervision was in high demand, and during this time he was elected President of the American Catholic Biblical Association, the first non-US person to hold this position. Frank’s scholarship and teaching took him around the world to Rome, Jerusalem and Berkeley. His many doctoral students are now professors teaching in the States, Australia, India, Africa and Europe.
Frank also served the Church as a member of the Pontifical Theological Commission from 1984-2002, eighteen years instead of the usual term of six years. Pope Benedict XVI called him to Rome as a special theological advisor at the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist.
Frank leaves us with a great legacy and inspiration. He told me, “Mary, every time you give a paper at a conference make sure it is then published – if not it’s money and time wasted.” In my own work I have tried to follow his advice and example.
Whether it was in the classroom, or over a glass of wine, Frank carried his great scholarship with ease and humility; able to say, “I don’t know,” to have vigorous discussions, and to be interested in what you were doing. Many who knew and worked with Frank will miss his warm, extravert personality, his ready smile, storytelling and friendship. But we know that Frank is now at peace after a long fulfilling life.
Written in love and gratitude, Mary L Coloe (Prof Emmerita, YTU).
Frank’s Requiem Mass will be at
10.00 am at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday, 17 November 2025
