He was born in Liverpool on 5th August 1927, and he spent his early years in Aintree, attending Blessed Sacrament Primary School, before going on to St Mary’s College, Crosby.

 

He trained for the priesthood at Upholland College and was ordained in the college chapel on 12th June 1954 by Archbishop Godfrey.

 

The newly ordained Fr Mooney was sent immediately to Rome to study canon law at the Gregorian University. In September 1956, he was appointed to the busy city parish of St Patrick’s, Park Place, conveniently situated for his other work in the Metropolitan Tribunal.

 

He remained at St Patrick’s until January 1960, when he was appointed as a chaplain with the Apostleship of the Sea. He returned to parish life in October 1963, upon his appointment as curate in the fledgling parish of St Finbar in the Dingle area of the city.

 

In January 1966, Archbishop Beck appointed Fr Mooney as Chancellor of the archdiocese and as chaplain at Park House, Waterloo. He was appointed to the Metropolitan Cathedral in 1967, and was made a Privy Chamberlain. Monsignor Mooney remained at the Cathedral until September 1975, when he was appointed as Pastoral Director for the archdiocese.

 

In 1977, Archbishop Worlock appointed Monsignor Mooney as Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Affairs and parish priest of Our Lady’s, Wavertree. At the same time, he relinquished office as Chancellor, an office in which he had served with great distinction for the previous 11 years.

 

In June 1983, he was appointed as parish priest of Saints Peter and Paul, Crosby, a parish he continued to serve with great dedication until his retirement in 1997. He enjoyed a long retirement at his home in Lydiate, supplying in parishes as needed.

 

Once he became too frail to live independently, he moved into the presbytery at Our Lady’s, Lydiate, before spending his final months in a nursing home. He died peacefully on 27 January 2024. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.